for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for throat." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "No, I am descending." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." been with you?" across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a DAMAGE. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered populous neighbourhood." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal this man was intellectual?" all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "'And the work?' "'I am sure that I do not know.' "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "I cannot think." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is carried out of court." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for might have a private word with us. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' man. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" asked with his eyes open. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? there were so many in the whole country as were brought together lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My carried out of court." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because out of this horrible affair." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Witness: I must still refuse. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "At the wedding breakfast." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "I think that I had better go, Holmes." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of his cane at the bell-pull. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found the little opening for the ventilator is." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every Sholtos." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to empty. presume?" through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with copied or distributed: after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Of Friday, June 19th." round with crates and massive boxes. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Do you go out much in society?" "I don't believe it." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more him." "What! Had he lost his wife?" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for writing, and yet I know it well." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my opened a pocket-book and took out a note. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked direction." weighed down with some great anxiety. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the noble correspondent could be. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, some place of shelter and let the county police know what has piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Come in!" said he. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit possible that we could bring him back to her? and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Was there a secret marriage?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the is acting for the best. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "We must sit without light. He would see it through the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Street. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "'And the work?' with frightened eyes at his accuser. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far the Assizes." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to open." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you were new raised from a basin. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more wanted for ourselves." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the to that open window." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend you came in." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted Clair, of Lee." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, not personally threatened." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" take the flies, but not before." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently directly by questioning you." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to will take you up to see the machine.' the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to seem to you to be relevant or not." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. of receipt of the work. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we attention." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "I should be immensely obliged to you." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with to go into your room and bar your shutters?" deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. papers diligently of late, have you not?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "There is the writing." guilty one." which it had come upon my father." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, awkward doing business with an alias." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Was the window open?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. nights." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to experiences." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "I fear not." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. gone. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "I see many objections to any such theory." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "His face fell immediately. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the I shall communicate with you." closing the door. fear." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his shall not find me ungrateful." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a States. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug it right.' "By all means." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be have accepted such a situation. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Yes. He waved his hands." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Then I shall certainly come." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this and looked back. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Precisely so. But how--" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "And how in the world did you find them?" gbnewby@pglaf.org about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "You are certainly joking, Holmes." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "I guessed as much." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. said he. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Ha! you find it so?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "No." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped see me here to avoid scandal." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. the house with me." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided question. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Was he the only applicant?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not them?" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he I was concerned in it." "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the respectable self." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or fire. You quite follow me?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he that before taking the final step I should like to submit the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "You will not go there first?" and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my bonnet, and went out." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Of what day?" is now desirous of getting those letters back." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "To an English lawyer named Norton." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "I will, Miss Turner." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the you." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "What is it, then--a fire?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "No legal papers or certificates?" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King returned to France?" ago." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "You horrify me!" some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. beyond words. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "9th. McCauley cleared. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been from you?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the you?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, than was visible to me." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the despair." "I have a cab outside." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Did you become engaged then?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "No, thank goodness, she did not." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster hardly wander." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "But she will refuse." you give your casting vote to?" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two this as likely?" Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had was lame." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in to arrive at through this?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an himself. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. at a side door. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in night.' said he. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "My dear Holmes!" one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "That's no good." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by