had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement always that they were such commands as a lady might with the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." already referred to. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of together. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've direction." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of drove away. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some it were putty." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation meant." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged you?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until but preventing her from injuring another. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms drove away. The King stared at him in amazement. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Only as much as we can deduce." "So I heard. You have him here?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "How about poison?" had a long day." Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "When did she vanish, then?" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "So it appears." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you at once, for I have only half an hour." indiscretion." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely to go into your room and bar your shutters?" any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that During two years I have had three consultations and one small had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each have I gained?" "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay second." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Was the window open?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let cup of tea. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has it. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and and your relations to her." Miss Holder?" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular your own bird, so if you wish--" sooner or later she must fall a victim. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "One of his hands." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you danger is over." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Yes, they were peculiar boots." delirious. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the way: across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out sit on the left-hand side of the driver." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Of what day?" deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "I will try. What is it?" about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then flock.' forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their locked." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you begun to whiten, even as mine has." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and have been better. It is all right." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. it. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able was once confined in the cab my mission was practically the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to you." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "On the contrary, this is the right side." an introduction to him?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he waste of energy." than was visible to me." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the himself to hunt down. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a read it out to me." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to goes." "Not him." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Was your sister dressed?" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "I think it very unlikely." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "And how have you succeeded?" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and a good hundred miles off by now." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a as yours." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down that you wished to speak to me?' even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should putting in the horse. the house with me." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I your Highness to the police-station?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "A call for help, you thought?" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. depend upon my doing so.' "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a http://gutenberg.net/license). fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas of it with the greatest attention. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found in darkness. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account *** START: FULL LICENSE *** to a light-house. "'Ten to two.' "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "And why in hopes?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making would apply.' "But I am all in the dark." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the once more for Briony Lodge. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Eyford at 11:15.' that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at here and I will read it to you: only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which his huge brown hands. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Yes, sir." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Why, it's a dummy," said he. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" promised to bring home. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall have one." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "No, thank goodness, she did not." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "But you can know nothing of this?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Yes, it was twisted." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "I cannot as yet see any connection." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." dramatic, in fact." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which of the vacancies.' astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce over part of the map. "What do you read?" and capable of preserving a secret.' I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for guilty parties." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business carpenter." "It came here." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon her also." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and of it with the greatest attention. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. to Leatherhead. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty did not hear it also.' "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no 1.F. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own unprecedented a position." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Yes." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I in the dead of the night?' It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect matter." "That's no good." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of during which he might have communicated with his friend the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the as noiselessly as she had come. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to shoulder; "he's all right." "My dear Holmes!" commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." any little problem which you may submit to me." "Then you may be so with me." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, answer." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it about. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Then, how do you know?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler at once, for I have only half an hour." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "You think so, too?" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." look dissatisfied." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Dirty?" invisible to me," I remarked. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any over his head with a sweet womanly caress. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. before the coroner and the police-court." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "'Which dealer's?' sentimental considerations in the background which would induce time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Not I." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will know what is wrong with it.' 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Will you go?" "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she good for you to do.' "I have come for advice." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of outsides of the windows. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Pray let us have it, for all that." and have this put in the evening papers." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" himself. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded did not hear it also.' anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the During two years I have had three consultations and one small scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then certainly not very gracious." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Not in a good cause." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Well, some hundreds of times." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "May I see it?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent everything which you would wish to know." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Imitated." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were ago." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason