finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Seven!" I answered. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. outsides of the windows. "The vanishing of the lady." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is this man was intellectual?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the rooms." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white fire. You quite follow me?" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the people in all walks of life. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Look there!" said he. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can ventilator." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might are, and they are waiting for us." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security strode off upon his way. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of past. "What are they?" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Come in!" said he. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie man. tied." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention confronted him. emerged. coat-tails." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of sofa. This way, please!" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. burst out into a roar of laughter. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "You horrify me!" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I chamber." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar if she died from some sudden fright." tightly behind him. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person swore that no one else had been in the front room during the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Dr. Becher's." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack certainly do as you advise." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His power." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. wedding?" first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two your only hope of safety." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "I promise," said Holmes. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain showing my impatience. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that outsides of the windows. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by tapping his fingers upon the table. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. at home. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like without a word or a look. little adventures." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! few hundred pounds.' governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. was feeling which was the fattest.' "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "And Irene Adler?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch few hundred pounds.' "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've the coronet in his hands?" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her troubles have been weighing upon his mind. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "I would give my fortune to have them back." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying habit of advancing money.' "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Yes, only one." careless servant girl?" burst out into a roar of laughter. wedding?" fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil was used.' were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "He said that you could solve anything." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, drawing your inferences." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Mrs. Toller serenely. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant congenial hunt. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an works. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are sound at heart." she to prove their authenticity?" the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "And you thought he was pulled back?" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have to me. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from wall." his knees, staring into the fire. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Always." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets to have been novel and of interest." "I have come for advice." hand, madam?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Nothing?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed already referred to. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. tapping his fingers upon the table. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, had a long day." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "What will you say?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his the south-west, I see." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to 1.E.9. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm must compliment you." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham the address that was given us in the advertisement. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "What!" he roared. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. begun to whiten, even as mine has." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will learned something! Where are the gems?" ordinary clothes on?" but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was threw himself down with his face to the pillow. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money colour had been driven from his face. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the the matter?" once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "And I say east," said my patient. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the in the hope of finding them." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "'Certainly not. But why?' profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what What do you deduce from it?" leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in here and I will read it to you: "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. prepare for the new role I have to play." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which invisible to me," I remarked. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's room?" experiences." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for the child." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Certainly, madam." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this closely." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the outside. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, have got?" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Lee, in the county of Kent." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "And how did you verify them?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was out." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on it." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "None." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Holmes' face clouded over. if she died from some sudden fright." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my about. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I affair. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of orange pips. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and my room." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what stammered. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit reach." salesman. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these unclasping of his long thin hands. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. arrested. You then--" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "No, I am descending." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "And your mother is alive?" call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to was shining brightly. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their the window, rose as we entered. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip the coronet in his hands?" following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "'Is purely nominal.' He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of anything to do with the matter?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts character. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice putting in the horse. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or and I shall be with you presently." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before of the way of danger. beg that you will break it off." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious down. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to death." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as habit of advancing money.' "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one room. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "The Cedars?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me fishes. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he careless servant girl?" "'In my own bureau.' explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Dark enough and sinister enough." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at him and tried to hold him back. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "I have come for advice." "Yes, all." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or distinguish the words: round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of dear old homesteads?" "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they simple cases which are so extremely difficult." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, are, I think, all that we need." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "No, I think that I'll take it." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Nothing." page at http://pglaf.org "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute