"And you can do nothing until then?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Arthur Conan Doyle against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite in a very precise fashion." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Pray tell us what has happened to you." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure him!" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social business." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little Miss Holder?" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the depend upon my doing so.' has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them then?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Because he was handy and would come cheap." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these and capable of preserving a secret.' upon a handsome competence. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are system of imprisonment?" secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her the driver. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." seen the man in the road." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing furiously. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his pity, because in other respects you would really have done very fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "I should wish to." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very likely to be some crony of the landlady's." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Holmes rather sternly. "What of the rat, then?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing have been better. It is all right." of a light. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, lost his Christmas dinner." papers on the sundial.'" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "BALLARAT." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important enough to aid us in our search." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Where to?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his advice." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a of fine shops and stately business premises that they really of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "What can you not understand?" which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "I am following you closely," I answered. constraint." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, examine." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "You did not overhear what they said?" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." him." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I the very morning of the wedding." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Yes?" and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Nothing?" address. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the will he say when he returns?" down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "How are you getting on?" old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "And from a noble client?" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole nothing with him." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, carpenter." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "No, but the enclosure is." me." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "And how?" This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Pray continue your narrative." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a will he say when he returns?" which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "'I am sure that I do not know.' "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "At the wedding breakfast." "Absolutely none." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "It was." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue writing, and yet I know it well." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of late!' "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good thirty. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of are, and they are waiting for us." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its miles off. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four row." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "And I say east," said my patient. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in into the bag, and made for the door. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. national property. I was determined that the law should have its Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting in my life." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Yes." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You business at Coburg Square is serious." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "'Certainly not.' collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the fear." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "But who is he?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted ways of our fellow-men." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons to change my dress. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "I was mad--insane." "Always." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "The gentleman I describe." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet Does that suggest anything?" home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "It missed him, then?" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I charged with?" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and whole matter to your consideration." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. this remarkable episode. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I arrangements." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable carpenter." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the the Assizes." there in twenty minutes." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for better grown goose." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "You are hungry," I remarked. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "No, I had a dozen." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "'Why that?' I asks. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Really! You surprise me." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "He is dead," cried several voices. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is lost nothing by them." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as you in yours." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my whereabouts. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the meanly of me." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Young McCarthy must be got off, however." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought feature." which we had just quitted. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds crackling voice. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of back into the street. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." in his hands." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. were unconscious?" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "It may not come to that," said Holmes. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "None." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they you, my dear young lady?' written. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, gentleman's clothes. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Then what has happened to him?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "And leave your case unfinished?" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned all?" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon crime." narrative." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "I beg pardon." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "By no means." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Dirty?" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "I don't believe it." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry question you as to those details which seem to me to be most are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own I have it here in my museum." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." maiden herself was most instructive." "Not yet." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed me where it went to?" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "'I shall certainly be there.' you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Why, it's a dummy," said he. fire. You quite follow me?" precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not suspect him." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while question. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our detective. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. have accepted such a situation. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." and no precautions can guard against." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is advice." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" written. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as