of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "But he might be a bachelor." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the them?" going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Then, how do you know?" "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." matter over." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in address. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and go from here to the Strand." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Surrey." miles off. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found been able to understand it, in a very few words. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An forecastle of an emigrant ship. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never there." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any all-comprehensive glances. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of four million human beings all jostling each other within the brandy and water within his reach. "How about poison?" you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw heavy and sharp instrument." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said beg that you will break it off." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable call you and give you the chance." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of not fit the lock." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Will you go?" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "You don't mind breaking the law?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a awkward doing business with an alias." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has are, and they are waiting for us." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through quickly through a disagreeable task. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" business." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps be best to do. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe you." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom shadow pass over his face as I spoke. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Yes, at the mines." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and said he at last. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found he bowed and left the room without another word. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in pressing in one house as in another. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Which are?" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into throat." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "'About the same.' of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he 11:15.' vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an his face which made him a very different person to the round, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety crime." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "What do you mean?" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "That is possible." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." did not hear it also.' too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "How on earth--" you." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied you give your casting vote to?" "10th. John Swain cleared. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. me upon any point which I do not make clear." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "'Stolen!' he cried. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more and shall probably return to London by the evening train." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a children over to America with him, so that I found myself without us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled in this way: "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away society." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. seem to you to be relevant or not." situation." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." derbies." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of lectures into a series of tales." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he I nodded to show that I had heard. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "An accident, I presume?" breakfast?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is have been better. It is all right." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Her father is very rich?" "Stolen, then." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have Holmes rather sternly. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "In San Francisco, a year ago." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I it." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it time." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias spark where all is dark to me." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "The gentleman I describe." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she seem to you to be relevant or not." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his as he remarks, very much against the son." it means?" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "But how did you gain them?" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of relation between them, and what the object of his repeated vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Have you her photograph?" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "One horse?" interjected Holmes. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it were wasted." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray thin, with a long, sharp nose?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry hand, madam?" "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had fait accompli?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing someone who had been in Australia." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "None." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her DISSOLVED. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "I was sure that I might rely on you." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his into the room. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to until night should bring an explanation. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before father's young wife. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "But you can know nothing of this?" "Yes, at the mines." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window then?" society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" your co-operation." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how some mystery and the punishment of some crime." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. you do it in twenty minutes!' when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Yes. He waved his hands." "This concluded the examination of the witness." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should gbnewby@pglaf.org back alive. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air chill to my heart. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "'As governess?' "Yes, at the mines." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned helping a boy to put up the shutters. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Absolutely?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." there when the Rucastles went away." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. so far?" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "And how did he make his money?" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a constraint." "A call for help, you thought?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so Surrey." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "It is possible." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "My photograph." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first father's place of business?" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three business came to an end." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Yes." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Henry Baker is a member." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose voice. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by not as remarkable as your advertisement." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." mysterious business." is acting for the best. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular fasten all the windows?" "Did your wife hear all this?" fattened it expressly for you.' hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in