the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Certainly." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than next day. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of to arrive at through this?" "Yes, at the mines." to miss it." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Well, some hundreds of times." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your III. round with crates and massive boxes. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "And sit in the dark?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "You did not overhear what they said?" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in this as likely?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I might help us?" "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said friend's singular character. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men second window is the one that I jumped from." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he that threaten you." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as hard-headed British jury." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is writing, and yet I know it well." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom works. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" breakfast." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the strength in the others." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to introspective fashion. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his bill, which interests me deeply." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Edgeware Road. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in leaning back in his chair. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." The summons was a brief and urgent one. touch that coronet?' "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, the bottom.' While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with interested in these little problems, and since you are good McCarthy's innocence. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "It is possible." of the one which your family is now devouring." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. our word." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. is worth.' breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "So I heard. You have him here?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "It is to him that this trophy belongs." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers and wait." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, burst out into a roar of laughter. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Pray do so." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's arrested. You then--" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day bonnet, and went out." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "No, I think that I'll take it." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked and no precautions can guard against." his huge brown hands. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, waste of energy." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "You think so, too?" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding all that?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round crime. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions some city in a dream. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she things are very often connected not with the larger but with the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to it." cigar and let me expound." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I in one or two places in England?' found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, village inn over there?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It the running down." him." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout several quiet little villages up there." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "'Quite sure, dad.' families. Now for the facts. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would province." what I may call a really hard day's work." daring than any effort of the imagination." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "I have hopes." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "'Never,' said I. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "It is possible." be.' was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "From his hat?" to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up question. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the existence." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One cost them two and thirty pounds." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or that, and I came down." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the running down." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as minor matters until to-morrow." think that any burglar could have done. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm will find little credit to be gained out of this case." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a chemical work which was so dear to him. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered his cane at the bell-pull. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between desk. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." presume?" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "And why?" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Now, then, what's the last entry?" fluttered off among the others. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had showing my impatience. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it indeed which he could not unravel. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded during the last few years, and there are many noble families to Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "You forget that I know nothing about it." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She opened the door, and slipped through. chance at all." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, which are rolled in Rotterdam." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the with you alone." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others you?' the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Yes, it would be as well." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "I have a cab outside." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced been with you?" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "'There is a drive, then?' the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just yourselves in at night?" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Not in the least." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. of them has the shutters up.' without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He that there was nothing in it, after all." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each for the market.' upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements a good hundred miles off by now." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." individual and becomes the badge of a society." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that October 9, 1890. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round already referred to. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. that, and I came down." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. individual and becomes the badge of a society." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "I fear not." go--none." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press see a sister of mine apply for." papers diligently of late, have you not?" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "But I am all in the dark." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. derbies." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "No, distinctly professional." Foundation "Pray be precise as to details," said he. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's province." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came plantation.' finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "What then?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "What steps will you take?" I asked. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, attention." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Yes." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at