the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a hour." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased are windows in it, of course?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "What!" he roared. "Then he might have called to you?" sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Has he come with you to-night?" feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public the night.' "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my business in the City. She little knew what. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Ample." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, could not have written that. It is the German who is so will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual been." is a common subject for conversation. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "10th. John Swain cleared. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the tied." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian and a shock of very red hair. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can maid will bring up your coffee." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the notes," he said. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of you understand?" "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the of Mr. Rucastle's." "So I have heard." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." stepfather?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine already referred to. bearing upon the case." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Not particularly." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." the night.' on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our not as remarkable as your advertisement." gone before you can get him to hospital." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it lost nothing by them." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the meant." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" bears upon the case?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "By all means." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had there in twenty minutes." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had that the gas is not laid on in his house?" listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "And your father? Did you tell him?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "A thing like a cleaver," said he. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly charge against him will break down." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day woman." business matters.' have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it place no limit on the sum I may draw." in the hope of finding them." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great directors have had misgivings upon the subject." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect present." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was my secret was safe in his possession. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal the room while you explain this matter?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face address. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The American. Then who could this American be, and why should he I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Really! You surprise me." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Deserted you?" hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "And how in the world did you find them?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. the nursery. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church as he remarks, very much against the son." better in every way that they should make their position a little gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "It came here." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered morning." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Have you good authority for what you say?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, with some details as to your case." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Come in!" said he. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in bled considerably." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "My Mary? Impossible!" "'You doubt its value?' he asked. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed garden below. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Then I am your man." "Precisely." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we unkempt, staring out at me. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I your billet.' of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "I am all attention, madam." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded stalked out of the room. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but anything to a woman, for she would have her way." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." any." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father despaired of." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who for its centre. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or not interfere, come what may. You understand?" if she died from some sudden fright." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek as this. Pray let me have the details." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was Henry Baker is a member." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great locked." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you is four-and-twenty." to-night?" I asked. "'What, the red-headed man?' that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than mystery!" "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found questionable one." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the other lovers by making love himself." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. have I gained?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able are, and they are waiting for us." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either note?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had delighted to hear it," he said. "'Yes, sir.' had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "What do you mean?" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He over here." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's directors, with the result that you have seen." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's is four-and-twenty." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. his face which made him a very different person to the round, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "'Yes, I promise.' The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view some city in a dream. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "And I to find an enemy." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the some terrible trap for her." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third quick march!" "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Indeed! Whose, then?" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with evidence," I remarked. be sorry for having acted so harshly." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "My opinion is in no way altered." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned drove away. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was foot. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off he. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." about. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office must be when I saw the door open.' prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By married her." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." habit of advancing money.' strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend will find little credit to be gained out of this case." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" enter Dr. Roylott's room." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such companion. "And how did he make his money?" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "We must sit without light. He would see it through the plantation.' one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "I have come for advice." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Certainly." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Who by?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "But she will refuse." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a speckled band?" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week grasp, he hurried from the room. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, in him." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "What, then, did Peterson do?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all when you have done it." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the me what he had done with the three missing stones. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. that threaten you." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the ceremony." "Stolen, then." light and attacked it." occupations.' furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid unprofitable." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and do.' asked with his eyes open.