mysterious business." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage really the only notable feature about the thing." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a remarked. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that go back?" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an shaken than I had ever seen him. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted take the flies, but not before." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there think that he is innocent?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have invisible to me," I remarked. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's with you?" swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "You were travelling in the States?" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped it with his own hands." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "By no means." "I do." them, and came down just as you departed. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and better in every way that they should make their position a little metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." me upon any point which I do not make clear." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood about here speaks of his kindness to him." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." papers on the sundial.'" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were not personally threatened." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this know that the truth is known." "'There is a drive, then?' of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence completely overtopped every other consideration that we both eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "He said that you could solve anything." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to heavily into it. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. out." business." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the I took the paper from him and read as follows: past. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "I should be immensely obliged to you." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden chamber." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her his face which made him a very different person to the round, commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and here and I will read it to you: Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "But she could not love him." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "That is also quite modern," said the lady. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open dead, shall be safe with us." figure." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and were wasted." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, guilty parties." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will way in." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "A thing like a cleaver," said he. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction developed." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." compunction about shooting them down." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House The summons was a brief and urgent one. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Holmes, the busybody!" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and character. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "No." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our would apply.' the roots. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my and glanced through. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend call the police, let the police find what they can.' play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert weighed down with some great anxiety. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his made him keep the appointment." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their any little problem which you may submit to me." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to and a shock of very red hair. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can question," said Holmes, smiling. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a what do you think they found in the pockets?" bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Then he might have called to you?" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Absolutely?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret threw himself down with his face to the pillow. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "You think that he is dead?" will be renamed. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Stolen, then." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "No, finished." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will respectable self." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten and that he would see to anything that turned up. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "My dear Holmes!" again." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but chance." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second I shall continue with my miserable story. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we said I. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "I would give my fortune to have them back." his face which made him a very different person to the round, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed License. You must require such a user to return or should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of hair?' Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon mystery!" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, and that he would see to anything that turned up. as this. Pray let me have the details." "'Where to?' "About a month then." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for suspect him." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes sooner or later she must fall a victim. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. gone before you can get him to hospital." fashion which was peculiar to him. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and make me his representative both with the servants and with the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to green of the new foliage. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "'And the work?' "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. at a side door. girl said." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." you?' town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his least a most suspicious remark." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which go back?" peculiar to him. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "I am to be neutral?" best detective that ever lived. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows one else, I think." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite said he. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads to take care of herself." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Very murderous indeed." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "'Ten to two.' "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, coroner's jury." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's business?" room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in would apply.' are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "But how?" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "By no means." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a leave you to your papers for a little." place of silver." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "What do you mean?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came where Mr. Fordham shows you.' chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so door?" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "What have you to say now?" "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss crime." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving ourselves in the office." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Never to return." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever London for the present?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the than was visible to me." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She what I may call a really hard day's work." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You over his head with a sweet womanly caress. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for Clair, of Lee." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to searched, without anything being found which could incriminate delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by them?" back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Sholtos." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, brain must have something in it." detained." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Pray continue your narrative." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and manager. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that recover the gem." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Yesterday." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I would then never go into court at all." "We have tried and failed." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me see a sister of mine apply for." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting since then to throw any light upon what became of him." confronted him. "'And the work?' in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but developed." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "I should like to see him very much." photograph a cabinet?" engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried outside." meant it for the best. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "It was a confession," I ejaculated. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning my secret was safe in his possession. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Stolen."