black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "But we can't all be." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Dr. Becher's." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the wall." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "By all means." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the it right.' "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "I never have." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "What have you to say now?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "And how in the world did you find them?" "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. question. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love had a long day." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "What steps will you take?" I asked. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more only touch the interest." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Dirty?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect must compliment you." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Certainly." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Not yet." Chief Executive and Director Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. I shall communicate with you." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that situation." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble sufficient punishment." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that test if we have an answer to our advertisement." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "My private note-paper." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "On the contrary, this is the right side." with some details as to your case." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "No bad?" "Not yet." answered with a sidelong glance. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are society." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great colonel looking down at me. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a License. You must require such a user to return or alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Not particularly." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Nothing." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade You want to know what became of those geese?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down are windows in it, of course?" other means.' the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Ha! you find it so?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "No, my brougham is waiting." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and cigar and let me expound." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Edgeware Road. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and disappearance of the bride.'" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William article?" began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "'Ample.' to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he soul! here is her carriage at the door." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Holmes' room. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "But she will refuse." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was careless servant girl?" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. stalked out of the room. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what light and attacked it." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible past. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "I do." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, face and glided from the room. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "No, I think that I'll take it." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the that he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Arthur Conan Doyle "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when garden below. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "He said that you could solve anything." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all redistribution. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "What! a murderous attack?" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical drawing your inferences." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has Holmes' room. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "My opinion is in no way altered." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "'Certainly not. But why?' fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, seen the man in the road." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I corner of the building. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old evidence," I remarked. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to the coronet in his hand?" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "On the contrary, this is the right side." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a it. 1.E.9. the inquest, and which are worth considering." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down would then never go into court at all." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I a room. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of third from London." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "I see many objections to any such theory." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very invisible to me," I remarked. house for five minutes.' "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and way in everything. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "But not more so than I to find you." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "I know where it is." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea foot. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "And how have you succeeded?" pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Never." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to province." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "I should wish to." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. hereditary King of Bohemia." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out some city in a dream. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It in him." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I have been better. It is all right." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "That is easily got." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Then I shall certainly come." straighten it?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "And is that all?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "'You cannot say what it was?' a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "I think that I had better go, Holmes." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "No." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we he bowed and left the room without another word. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the that he will be back before evening." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen swore that no one else had been in the front room during the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink arrested. You then--" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Surrey." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the wanted for ourselves." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Then you may entirely rely on me." ourselves in the office." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow certainly not very gracious." like gravel from a pit.' I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. seen the man in the road." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the shaken than I had ever seen him. habit of advancing money.' I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "I warn you that they are very incomplete." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, particular state visit http://pglaf.org sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "We were both in the photograph." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the that Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Texas, I think." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he clang of the bell. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "VIOLET HUNTER." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their there when the Rucastles went away." said I. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There God! What an exposure! What can I do?" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "When did it break out?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door up this clue while it is still hot." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to me." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly shall not find me ungrateful." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of foot. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle garden below. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "No, I think that I'll take it." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Pope's Court.