that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." furiously. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "'Stolen!' he cried. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Were they all fastened this morning?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the do.' While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager what these perils are?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "And why?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your and effective." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was been anything against him. He had for years been known as a test if we have an answer to our advertisement." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, me." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just prisoner's face. and laid it on the table. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Pope's Court. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "But she will refuse." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped jewels which you have stolen?' "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Surrey." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to you found me to-night--and running through the front room she imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; begun to whiten, even as mine has." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a copied or distributed: thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote sooner or later she must fall a victim. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Yes." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will paper in the air. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my she might be summoned. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "On Monday." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish undoubtedly my uncle's." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some chill to my heart. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "I cannot imagine." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her to-night?" I asked. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "'I am sure if I had known--' and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely troubles have been weighing upon his mind. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, the roots. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, congratulate you again." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true there were so many in the whole country as were brought together black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we outside. experiences." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "And it is--" trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, at once, for I have only half an hour." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the crime." "Proceed, then." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in someone who had been in Australia." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my remarked. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said was feeling which was the fattest.' hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is would apply.' remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the have established a very serious case against the son of the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" our word." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "'In my own bureau.' trifles." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. present." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with train from Paddington which would bring you there at about astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered that Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Proceed, then." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. happened." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. before the coroner and the police-court." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Then what has happened to him?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the grasp, he hurried from the room. indiscretion." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "But how?" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible had this final quarrel? "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. row." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I too. "Did your wife hear all this?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "She told me to ask you." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Witness: It was. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" tear off another piece?' "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Game for a morning drive?" the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage where she found matters as described by the last witness. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "But you would not advise me to refuse?" business in the City. She little knew what. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "It was." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander locked." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "If so, much may have happened between." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "'Is 4 pounds a week.' makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "9th. McCauley cleared. companion. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Murdered?" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an me. You must get home instantly and act." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the bedroom door." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began look upon these things in a different way." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Deserted you?" "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That which we had just quitted. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon fluttered off among the others. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in matter." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were question you as to those details which seem to me to be most glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "But you can know nothing of this?" few hundred pounds.' His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and on in his house." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "What is it, then--a fire?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had manager. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Very truly yours, himself to tell his story. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of showing my impatience. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich status with the IRS. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "I am to be neutral?" "There are none." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's article?" zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest carried out of court." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to off." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the this poor creature." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you fuss that is made over them." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close it means?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "'Quite sure, dad.' hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had beyond words. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Pray let us have it, for all that." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Count Von Kramm." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little up this clue while it is still hot." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a works. See paragraph 1.E below. carried out of court." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Very. But will he see it?" once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, out of this horrible affair." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she notes," he said. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. to take care of herself." to Leatherhead. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. ready to-morrow?' have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Tired-looking or fresh?" closing the door. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Upon what point?" you in yours." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting to me. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady had picked up in the wood. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. answer." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned a good hundred miles off by now." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between views." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Why, what do you mean?" "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody the running down." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "On your arm?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant advice." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and father's young wife. geese which you supplied to the Alpha."