the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "And how did you find out?" a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of to surprise her." "'Where could I find him?' beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. said he at last. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Where, indeed?" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that best detective that ever lived. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Will you bet, then?" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful to-night?" I asked. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be footfalls from the street. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday the tragedy. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "They are typewritten," I remarked. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past I. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he new duties?' "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely with you?" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Do you know him?" that you can jump it.' than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Seven!" I answered. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this once more for Briony Lodge. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "He said that you could solve anything." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very strong and stiff." of your young ladies.' "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Certainly, madam." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an unclasping of his long thin hands. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "To ruin me." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We I have it here in my museum." just called myself is not exactly my own." "Perhaps I have." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is fait accompli?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of most important business. It is probable that he will be away all held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. page at http://pglaf.org two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." good for you to do.' new duties?' vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Yes, sir." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. questionable one." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Breckinridge is his name." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "And leave your case unfinished?" before the coroner and the police-court." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that everything which you would wish to know." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It in his hands." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "I cannot tell." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms forbidden door. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "My stepfather's business papers." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how article?" that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious washing it down with a long draught of water. to talk it over. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on strength of mind to control. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's where we are going." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you might have a private word with us. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated corner of the building. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your troubles have been weighing upon his mind. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to following enigmatical notices: conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical with her." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a matter." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I shag which I had seen upon the previous night. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Holmes. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she I leave." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "'And what salary do you ask?' "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand something of him before." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back October 9, 1890. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow generous with you in money matters.' fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our mysterious business." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted mystery may be cleared along those lines." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "And how did he make his money?" be sorry for having acted so harshly." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "'Most admirably.' gigantic client. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming manager. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an Project Gutenberg-tm works. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll throat." pictures, libraries, or plate. head. So long, then!" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as as the one I chose?' the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. You want to know what became of those geese?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman bird of prey. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "It is solved." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "The doctor?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. forbidden door. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular wedding?" of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. four million human beings all jostling each other within the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which of campaign. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets tapping his fingers upon the table. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "'Most admirably.' "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug details should find their way into the papers. Inspector something of him before." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in more solid." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate it were putty." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that breakfast?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual the roots. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for Holmes' face clouded over. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one ordinary clothes on?" Munro.' "'And the work?' presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "My opinion is in no way altered." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "But she could not love him." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This hurried away. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a noting anything else of interest. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. ago." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "'A dozen yards or so.' "And who is her maid?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to stammered. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those the salesman. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Witness: Nothing definite. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. happened." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the upon the white wrist. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of him to go away.' through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" dead, shall be safe with us." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon perplexity from it to my illustrious client. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to been lifted and conveyed somewhere." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, least a fellow-countryman. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly tightly behind him. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over brought there to personate someone, and the real person is but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made served to weaken the effect. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this stood on the top of it. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice could not have written that. It is the German who is so because she had spent so short a time in this country that she of a light. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "The doctor?" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Certainly." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." should be so warm over such a trifle." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and minor matters until to-morrow." interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is light and attacked it." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," introspective fashion. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "This concluded the examination of the witness." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Yes." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into least a fellow-countryman. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are that you can jump it.' business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative opportunities to fix the problem. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend he. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' undoubtedly my uncle's." "Precisely so. But how--" "It surprised me." again, where I was soon asleep. "How did that help you?" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of morning." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "'Never.' photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my of." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair.