spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "How are you getting on?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback fattened it expressly for you.' figure." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the morning." "Yes." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' my friend's incisive reasoning. "I am still in the dark." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. my former friend and companion. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "I see no marks." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, best detective that ever lived. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while carpenter." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which have I gained?" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From read it out to me." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "'What do you call purely nominal?' weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." so far?" I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I likely to be some crony of the landlady's." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is God! What an exposure! What can I do?" to that open window." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Then I am your man." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, yet." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Not in the least." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "But how?" you?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and then?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may a very grave face. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had see a sister of mine apply for." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in were unconscious?" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "But she could not love him." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the words came to my lips. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no people in all walks of life. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" at a side door. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it asked. meanly of me." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "A greater distance to travel." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "You are all wrong." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be noise which awoke you from your sleep?" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Of what?" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Nor running a chance of arrest?" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Does that suggest anything?" "Breckinridge is his name." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this wedding?" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Tired-looking or fresh?" fat-encircled eyes. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Certainly." colonel looking down at me. again on its way. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "What shall I do?" the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of Countess of Morcar's?" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." is worth.' "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm come either from the window or the door. My attention was Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters foresight and the moral retrogression?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." name is different." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the meanly of me." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the followed. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Just look it up, then." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." you give your casting vote to?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small name is different." asked. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. such person." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the better in every way that they should make their position a little there were one or two details which were new to me. But the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon him to be an active member of the medical profession." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those think you a quite exceptional woman." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were bachelor.' once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off get the tickets." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "How can you tell that?" "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Have you her photograph?" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "So it appears." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last remarked. "And did you observe any change in her then?" you?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the present." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some carriage. It was a chestnut." I think that I could be of assistance to you." "But what is it you wish?" "10th. John Swain cleared. "It is no ordinary one." business came to an end." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon congratulate you again." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came the armchair which I pushed forward for him. III. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a look dissatisfied." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "On the contrary, this is the right side." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the less than 26s. 4d. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Then the page we have seen--" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it fait accompli?" twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "And it is--" calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "It surprised me." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train the ceiling. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Of what day?" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Why did you beat the pavement?" confronted him. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were back into the street. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. closing the door. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Nothing." "Dark enough and sinister enough." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "And I." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of was once confined in the cab my mission was practically While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The and I shall be with you presently." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of his face. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." thin legs towards the fire. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "The decline of his fortunes, then?" tension within him. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three simple cases which are so extremely difficult." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I closely." forehead. into the bag, and made for the door. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and easy-going way." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. where we are going." a monotonous occupation." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and do.' sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use brain must have something in it." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "No, my brougham is waiting." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small cup of tea. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable bonnet, and went out." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel when your master had gone out." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would the date of his supposed suicide." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Yes." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Arthur Conan Doyle "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "In the cells." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Was she in good spirits?" The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy was shining brightly. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Sutherland?" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "What do you mean?" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to politicians who had been sent down from the North. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been noise which awoke you from your sleep?" once more to my work. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning least a most suspicious remark." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "I have solved it." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round the Assizes." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "You are hungry," I remarked. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will have been better. It is all right." "Dr. Becher's." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." chemical work which was so dear to him. "And I." were new raised from a basin. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Pray continue your narrative." business?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a is acting for the best. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to prepare for the new role I have to play." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "This photograph!" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed chill to my heart. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' the stones. written, and locked the door of the office after me. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Not social, then?" my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that province." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles furiously. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to