finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came she might be summoned. stalked out of the room. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." sufficient punishment." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Very truly yours, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. it. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." III. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out paper in the air. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Yes." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Watson," he said cordially. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Serpentine Avenue. "'Yes, sir.' We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Here?" thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in which it had come upon my father." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the have got?" research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my correct than the official force." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it promised to bring home. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was allusion to a rat. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "It is possible." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the look dissatisfied." "Then you may entirely rely on me." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Well?" presented more singular features than that which was associated "Has he come with you to-night?" staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "There are none." followed. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Was the window open?" Pool. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I was lame." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this them?" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. was already answered. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my means taking possession of that which another person has a prior balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a purpose of examination. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is place, I think that there is good ground to think that the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous green of the new foliage. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "But how will you look?" thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Because he was handy and would come cheap." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. and effective." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for Gutenberg-tm License. records." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored carpenter." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Yes, at the mines." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Not particularly." "But what harm can there be in that?" the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "I am still in the dark." "I have come for advice." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to ran thus: or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm weapon." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made used to be." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "The knees of his trousers." Pope's Court. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "I see no marks." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "That also I could fathom." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "What office?" fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the bachelor.' of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular hour?' old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Is he quiet?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were my room." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a she might be summoned. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it acquaintance?" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" always that they were such commands as a lady might with something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ said he. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, I shall communicate with you." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Precisely so. But how--" at my remark. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with manager. nonsense.' "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the one as in the other." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him eat it." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "You heard nothing yourself last night?" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Bought." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "We have tried and failed." south, for the country is more deserted there." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "9th. McCauley cleared. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "'Ten to two.' McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Absolutely?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs best detective that ever lived. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "And is that all?" habit of advancing money.' my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that fishes. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "I will get her to show me." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at ourselves in the office." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we it right.' "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an Lee, in the county of Kent." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and down. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Count Von Kramm." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only envelope. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Not in the least." tension within him. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "What office?" eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for one of the states of the Union." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I 1.E.9. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "No. What a strange idea!" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they that I can to serve you." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "May I see it?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "What do you make of that, Watson?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of nights." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil the tragedy. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "No. What a strange idea!" some water from a caraffe. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is of the way of danger. you in yours." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" trifles." to his chemical studies. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and business at Coburg Square is serious." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Upon what point?" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked matter." asked. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I bill, which interests me deeply." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, up this clue while it is still hot." and it need not interfere very much with one's other "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Yes." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "You horrify me!" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they them present such singular features as the strange train of agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If humiliation." Sutherland. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "And why?" "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a it." row." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I any little problem which you may submit to me." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond McCarthy's innocence. chance at all." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I sofa. This way, please!" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." comes from the middle window." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "And your father? Did you tell him?" still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning you give your casting vote to?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "On the contrary, this is the right side." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. before, for it was considerably after midnight. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. respectable self." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark before, for it was considerably after midnight. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary never came back." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further written, and locked the door of the office after me. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already frequently gained my first real insight into the character of I held the little printed slip to the light. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the hard-headed British jury." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "And why?" Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under crime. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A danger is over." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke