when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "It is no ordinary one." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the roots. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of advice." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the said Mr. Holder. "Look there!" said he. said he. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. there is a decided draught." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed south, for the country is more deserted there." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to that he has suffered." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Clair, of Lee." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "None." that you can jump it.' "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "That is it on the dressing-table." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our galvanised. foresight and the moral retrogression?" papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, it. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." spark where all is dark to me." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of public press." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" you give your casting vote to?" my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is your bag." "How do you know, then?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that pierced for earrings?" whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a man. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at away to you." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of Gutenberg-tm License. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional drawing your inferences." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be instituted." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had national property. I was determined that the law should have its now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and which we had just quitted. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' call you and give you the chance." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Lee, in the county of Kent." strength in the others." dear old homesteads?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "One?" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most Young McCarthy must be got off, however." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some searched, without anything being found which could incriminate younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Never." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Very well, sir. And this stone?" society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a place of silver." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I any more." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. unkempt, staring out at me. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into was a lad." "'Yes, I promise.' IS bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Yes, that is the Crown." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "A client, then?" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "In answer to an advertisement." appointment with me for six o'clock?" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I o'clock is it?" "That is possible." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Yes." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, became a certainty. affection." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or call you and give you the chance." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "I cannot as yet see any connection." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a mysterious business." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the stalked out of the room. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Serpentine Avenue. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that never will be, entirely cleared up. husband's writing, madam." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "'It is locked up,' I answered. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "And did you observe any change in her then?" subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "No." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "You know me, then?" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My This is what he says: Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "'Where to?' another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief This is what he says: themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "It goes to the housekeeper's room." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "I have hopes." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some the south-west, I see." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "How did you deduce the select?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester it." "You have the photograph?" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but me. You must get home instantly and act." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism trifles." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich congenial hunt. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be you." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. His name is Francis Prosper." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Who was the criminal, then?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and back alive. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, down. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Holmes. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I you understand?" "How did that help you?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands as yours." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional locked. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Nor running a chance of arrest?" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. both be extremely obliged.' feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." anything to do with the matter?" faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly photograph a cabinet?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "It is very kind of you." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, be best to do. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, annoyance, but no jest. "9th. McCauley cleared. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. the coronet in his hand?" still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned straighten it?" "Of what?" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "I do." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg said he at last. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed the King without delay." me what he had done with the three missing stones. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. arrangements." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "'I am sure if I had known--' "I think that I had better go, Holmes." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did hand, madam?" and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to together. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he electronic works wife's character?" "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine train from Paddington which would bring you there at about been lifted and conveyed somewhere." signal between you and your father? "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "'What, the red-headed man?' All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in should be so warm over such a trifle." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple morning." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "And when will you call?" think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." security.' "No?" to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about for its centre. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner himself to hunt down. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other foot. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who weary and pale-looking. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I you?" deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Where to?" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out might help us?" the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think my little problems." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in of the one which your family is now devouring." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are closely." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose ways including including checks, online payments and credit card place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." companion quietly. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have nothing of it?" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It annoyance, but no jest. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. sound at heart." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "I cannot tell." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. Sutherland?" at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or appeal." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of once more to my work. the station." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting way: He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "And now?" I asked. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Yes." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Was she in good spirits?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do matter." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest I think that I could be of assistance to you." past. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has Eyford at 11:15.' "How did he come?" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. lost his Christmas dinner." papers diligently of late, have you not?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "I should wish to." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own