was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old congenial hunt. call it cruel." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, and I shall be with you presently." works. Holmes." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. secret." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "What do you make of that, Watson?" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so seven miles from Eyford Station.' specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the is," said he presently: young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows of Fenchurch Street." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked the little opening for the ventilator is." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "My photograph." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the garden below. the inner apartment." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "'It is locked up,' I answered. do.' "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "And did you observe any change in her then?" "I should be immensely obliged to you." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And My friend smiled. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. humiliation." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "And how did you find out?" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew forebodings. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the redistribution. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to important." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to sneer upon his pale face. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." telegram would bring me down to your help." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry British peeress.'" reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Count Von Kramm." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole for and were ordered to this address. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses whether it answered to the description of any of their the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I You want to know what became of those geese?" footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus rose-bushes. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "And sit in the dark?" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "'There is a drive, then?' smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "'Never,' said I. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no galvanised. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be more terrible than the truth. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round nonsense.' surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any take the flies, but not before." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal detective. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time situation." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of gone. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Does that suggest anything?" that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." back to my heart. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Have you her photograph?" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call the coronet in his hands?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, gbnewby@pglaf.org plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "The decline of his fortunes, then?" see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the your equipment. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." gone. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the October 9, 1890. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "What! You do not mean bodies?" observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "I will get her to show me." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the attention." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible other, as fresh and trim as possible. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. the general public were present, then?" smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Yesterday." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a the coronet at all injured?" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are woman." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." to his chemical studies. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "And leave your case unfinished?" been deceived." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey chance." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without with some details as to your case." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for he died? question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, little trying to do so much typewriting?" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off which are rolled in Rotterdam." see a sister of mine apply for." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity since then to throw any light upon what became of him." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "I would give my fortune to have them back." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a neither fascinating nor artistic." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up of his shoulders. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." the bed, and you in that chair." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our charge against him will break down." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it a suggestive one." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "'Yes, sir.' near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "And why?" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread conceal it?" introspective fashion. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "But what harm can there be in that?" pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Here?" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside opportunities to fix the problem. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." went to the Alpha were town bred." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Oh, fresh and glossy." floor. "You did not overhear what they said?" the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This of your young ladies.' in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face goes." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a dead, shall be safe with us." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Yesterday." skylight. spark where all is dark to me." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt jewels which you have stolen?' his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the coroner come to?" making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Your presence might be invaluable." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come to-morrow." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so tear off another piece?' civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That later, upon the night of May 2nd." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, populous neighbourhood." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "It's nothing of the kind." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." here and I will read it to you: derbies." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that you came in." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Foundation much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself his cane at the bell-pull. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "How are you getting on?" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, present." them present such singular features as the strange train of mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience disappearance of these gems?" possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some bill, which interests me deeply." "What, then, did Peterson do?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old out of this horrible affair." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "No good news?" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not