nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive mystery may be cleared along those lines." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two think you a quite exceptional woman." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Yes." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and one else, I think." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his night.' said he. was a perfect sample of the class. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you could gather together that I was able to avert another public "That was it, sir." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, strong reason behind." "'Yes, it was gone.' when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be made him keep the appointment." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "But you were on a friendly footing?" did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire introspective fashion. meant it for the best. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Nothing?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy arrangements." "Quite so. She has her freedom." noting anything else of interest. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Not social, then?" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger strong reason behind." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss morning." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Arthur Conan Doyle as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every take the flies, but not before." "There are none." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then nice household for a young lady." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our status with the IRS. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and official police." "VIOLET HUNTER." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, goes." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Why did you pick him?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "I cannot imagine." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of directors, with the result that you have seen." used to be." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything hair?' sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Stoke Moran." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Very truly yours, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for of campaign. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young mystery." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how in a friendly supper." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with populous neighbourhood." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every me. see me here to avoid scandal." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the instituted." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "'And the work?' to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper business at Coburg Square is serious." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his guilty one." "Dirty?" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me waste of energy." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Frequently." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss room. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some papers must be those that are destroyed.' high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive hour." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." on in his house." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this father's young wife. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Were they all fastened this morning?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in how narrow had been my escape. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "But you have hopes?" me. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations husband's writing, madam." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" discontent upon his features. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his them?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to if she died from some sudden fright." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "I have a cab outside." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "And your father? Did you tell him?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "But you have hopes?" "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Very much so." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his Eyford at 11:15.' that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his have one." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Holmes rather sternly. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Will you bet, then?" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still Clair, of Lee." what do you think they found in the pockets?" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by later, upon the night of May 2nd." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Your French gold?" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up said he. Henry Baker is a member." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her dear old homesteads?" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "'What do you call purely nominal?' both be extremely obliged.' police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that hereditary King of Bohemia." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to to talk it over. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "My dear Holmes!" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Then the page we have seen--" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, used to be." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a neither fascinating nor artistic." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in respectable self." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the key of the affair now." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." bill, which interests me deeply." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "And I say east," said my patient. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my out of this horrible affair." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Stoke Moran." his cane at the bell-pull. all-comprehensive glances. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an row." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who death." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not the Assizes." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss up this clue while it is still hot." "But I have heard all that you have heard." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my weighed down with some great anxiety. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Then he might have called to you?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Surrey." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the that I can to serve you." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Imitated." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a But Holmes shook his head gravely. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "It is half-past ten now." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we the dangers which encompass me." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "I shall be delighted." anything to do with the matter?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "I will not look." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Street. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he relation between them, and what the object of his repeated better grown goose." and effective." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. drove away. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very which should have the effect of calling the attention of the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "The knees of his trousers." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel outsides of the windows. "Where, then, is my wife?" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men legal crime." was not a bird to be seen there. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Yes, at the mines." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, from you?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. gives a meaning to it." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat business came to an end." bachelor.' "Then, how do you know?" that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot business." know all about it," he snarled. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much papers on the sundial.'" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform business came to an end." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, fashion which was peculiar to him. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers would apply.' glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands shoulder. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Why? What do you mean?" 'please.'" swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Have you her photograph?" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of the general public were present, then?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "'Yes, I promise.' married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "A client, then?" lips." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first ready to-morrow?' highroad, where all traces were lost. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the floor. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really into the room. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been thought that she would have been so carried away." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he it." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to long narrative. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands ill-usage at the hands of fortune. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am would apply.' A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass ourselves in the office."