threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "'I have heard so.' was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly knowledge of the world." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Pool. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Yes, at the mines." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of anything to a woman, for she would have her way." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and had picked up in the wood. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen long narrative. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our the stable lane now." dead, shall be safe with us." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Is he quiet?" and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do Mrs. Toller serenely. his wife has ceased to love him." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" depend upon your compliance." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would it were putty." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "ARAT," I read. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot children over to America with him, so that I found myself without read it out to me." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in possible that we could bring him back to her? with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "To an end?" believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being out of this horrible affair." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Then you may be so with me." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and once more to my work. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, to have been novel and of interest." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders to his chemical studies. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until that you saw all that I did." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "And it is--" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with pound a week." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from my secret was safe in his possession. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a said he. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous train from Paddington which would bring you there at about charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy said he. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," there when the Rucastles went away." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some garden below. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between had this final quarrel? "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps written. "'Ten to two.' card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a room?" was a loud and authoritative tap. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "I am about to be married." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to point our research must commence, and we will begin it by be best to do. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's lost his Christmas dinner." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "I will try. What is it?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "How did you deduce the select?" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "And for present expenses?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" security.' "Then I shall certainly come." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me the warnings." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Was there a secret marriage?" is worth.' In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you one of the states of the Union." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main been able to understand it, in a very few words. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is of the way of danger. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my away to you." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord detained." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "What! a murderous attack?" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "No." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "'And the work?' muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' begin with, and I had not got mine yet." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage delirious. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Have you it here?" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few bill, which interests me deeply." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round suddenly upon us." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Really! You surprise me." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "ARAT," I read. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" for its centre. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Entirely." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took occurred." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice at my own good fortune. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been introspective fashion. the inner apartment." bird of prey. it." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' you came in." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a official police." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "What do you mean?" look upon these things in a different way." quickly through a disagreeable task. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "You will not go there first?" four million human beings all jostling each other within the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at have accepted such a situation. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "What?" this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many burst out into a roar of laughter. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, new duties?' "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. eavesdroppers?' attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that their singular warning or token before them when starting upon prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "'Certainly not. But why?' the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "'There is a drive, then?' my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless call for it in person on Monday morning.' very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me experiences." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "My dear Holmes!" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, than to us. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I joking. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "No, my brougham is waiting." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "What! Had he lost his wife?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather absolutely follow my advice in every respect." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in take the flies, but not before." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "The murder was done with it." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Who was the criminal, then?" that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in breakfast?" may have an influence upon European history." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, the Friday. Was it to be in church?" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough country, and eventually married, without anyone having a house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. tear off another piece?' look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "I fear not." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with any little problem which you may submit to me." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over of the efforts of the United States government and of the better I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the his fortune, and I went back to pa. "She will not sell." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and very peculiar words of the dying woman?" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and observed. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks bed dies. Does not that strike you?" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had showing my impatience. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "And why?" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a disturbance in my wife." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "But of what society?" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" south, for the country is more deserted there." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "I am following you closely," I answered. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's giving me time to thank him. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Whose house is it?" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Was your sister dressed?" "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I one of the states of the Union." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the long narrative. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own writer." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, rat could hardly pass through." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to is now desirous of getting those letters back." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "He said that you could solve anything." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Never." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "But she will refuse." here and I will read it to you: "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had such attractions and accomplishments?' inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Then I can wait in the next room." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all