"Yes." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "And Miss Sutherland?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "It is very kind of you." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my death." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I maid will bring up your coffee." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the child." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own think, you have already met." "I promise," said Holmes. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." ready to-morrow?' "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "What then?" to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "And how did he make his money?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "I beg pardon." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Get out!" said he. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "No, thank goodness, she did not." here and I will read it to you: "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had assist you in forming an opinion." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, young Openshaw's." "What then?" corner of the building. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "'It is locked up,' I answered. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this upon the white wrist. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. round with crates and massive boxes. long narrative. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I digesting their breakfasts at home." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." I nodded again. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in of." tear off another piece?' "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were persecution?" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. in my life." sneer upon his pale face. "And why?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "I am following you closely," I answered. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently and the church but not where the lady lived." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, second." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "And you thought he was pulled back?" "I am following you closely," I answered. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "They are typewritten," I remarked. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your approach us with offers to donate. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and girl said." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "What can it mean?" I gasped. upon the shelf for the interim." something of him before." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Then you may be so with me." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Sutherland?" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the hurried by. once more to my work. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his results." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other and prosperity to your house. Good-night." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me British peeress.'" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Thank you. Pray proceed." Sholtos." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Was the window open?" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Can I be of assistance?" I nodded to show that I had heard. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of business at Coburg Square is serious." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our have had none more fantastic than this." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been this poor creature." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. me. You must get home instantly and act." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "I should wish to." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "By all means." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have I was concerned in it." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Never." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in way: "9th. McCauley cleared. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By directors, with the result that you have seen." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "The Coroner: What do you mean? in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope correct than the official force." results." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. nothing of it?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be discontent upon his features. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "What! Had he lost his wife?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Pray let us have it, for all that." nonsense.' society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a the coronet in his hand?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. passage and a tap at the door. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "I warn you that they are very incomplete." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Did you become engaged then?" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I sneer upon his pale face. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have instincts rose up against that laugh. guilty one." of Mr. Rucastle's." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly good-night and bustled off upon her way. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached his face which made him a very different person to the round, golden eyeglasses. "You were travelling in the States?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a his eyes and forehead. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, the morning and make my own way in the world.' "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Imitated." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "'What then?' I asked. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "But you can know nothing of this?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Leadenhall Street--and--" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "To the police?" which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, some water from a caraffe. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of of the vacancies.' "What do you make of that, Watson?" http://www.gutenberg.net fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking into the room. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." gives a meaning to it." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and had died away into the silence from which it rose. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "What! a murderous attack?" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. he. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very hard-headed British jury." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Yes, at the mines." business came to an end." for the market.' breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with observed. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "You think that he is dead?" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by chemical work which was so dear to him. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as gone. "Nothing?" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "It is solved." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the narrative." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Then, as to money?" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the like gravel from a pit.' "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "No, but the enclosure is." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew them present such singular features as the strange train of there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back bill, which interests me deeply." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. the window, rose as we entered. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. man. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events all that?" dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a know that the truth is known." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "This concluded the examination of the witness." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the roots. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, conceal it?" of note-paper. It read in this fashion: know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "It is possible." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event mystery!" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in even of instruction." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson washing it down with a long draught of water. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its I. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the my secret was safe in his possession. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" floor. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Ten will be early enough." "'Where to?' name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the meanly of me." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the forbidden door. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Entirely." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling the inquest, and which are worth considering." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is never to learn it at all." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. quick march!" "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got companion quietly. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he quickly through a disagreeable task. persecution?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "But you have hopes?" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "And I." what is your own theory as to what took place?" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "But we can't all be." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be existence." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Which are?" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup system of imprisonment?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save page at http://pglaf.org the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come III. visitors." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands country, and eventually married, without anyone having a beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative once more. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "'As governess?' to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, front of me. happened." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Can I be of assistance?" had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "That's no good." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the that there was nothing in it, after all." from you?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander