"'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there carried out of court." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' night.' said he. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always good-night and bustled off upon her way. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on of the way of danger. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." lamp in his hand. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called whatever might befall. easy-going way." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a coat-tails." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that 'please.'" already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a will be renamed. the coronet in his hand?" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when tell him that I know him to be innocent." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an mystery." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "How often?" I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our with you?" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of said he, "my real name is James Ryder." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are might help us?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Very. But will he see it?" "Pray do so." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from indiscretion." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "I will do it." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had quickly through a disagreeable task. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "I am armed." advice." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "'Ample.' Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Yes." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Yes." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." seven miles from Eyford Station.' listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will go--none." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his room?" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Then I shall certainly come." enter into my head. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "'Oh, no.' business came to an end." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the sound at heart." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Won't it ring?" "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently man. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. bearing upon the case." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Again Holmes raved in the air. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing in his power. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and once more to my work. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "A client, then?" 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before stepfather?" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Were they all fastened this morning?" his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. you, my dear young lady?' his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "My dear Holmes!" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Will you go?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "The Coroner: What do you mean? and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us developed." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "It is very clear." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "But we can't all be." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Oh, yes, easily." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," delirious. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "And what did you see?" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events fashion which was peculiar to him. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it someone who had been in Australia." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "What have you to say now?" young Openshaw's." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a hour." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "It may not come to that," said Holmes. wedding?" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. chamber." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "But it has twice been burgled." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton clanging. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, what these perils are?" the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "A call for help, you thought?" You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and your only hope of safety." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Ah, but I was recommended to you." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and as he remarks, very much against the son." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really you do it in twenty minutes!' not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the said he. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much ways of our fellow-men." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal throat." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it crime. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "And how?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I Lee, in the county of Kent." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, ran thus: broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Where did he live, then?" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." photograph a cabinet?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I direction." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Oh, fresh and glossy." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "'In my own bureau.' flock.' poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about detained." "VIOLET HUNTER." sake, don't!" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the vanished into the darkness. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be note?" said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been my friend's incisive reasoning. speckled band?" coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated if only as a check to my own memory." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to compunction about shooting them down." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at galvanised. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off door?" man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of lumber-room." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up the ceiling. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There and all of them with the keenest interest. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as of your young ladies.' wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he the room while you explain this matter?" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly Countess of Morcar's?" parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this ran thus: The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Oh, the cause is excellent!" you." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Breckinridge is his name." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "10th. John Swain cleared. delirious. evidence," I remarked. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence hard-headed British jury." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds enough to aid us in our search." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, mystery." cigar and let me expound." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be children over to America with him, so that I found myself without struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am newspaper selections." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the whatever might befall. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, definite end. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a true." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. in a friendly supper." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that already referred to. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you flock.' "It goes to the housekeeper's room." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Then I shall certainly come." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. hereditary King of Bohemia." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "'Yes, it was gone.' "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." John Swain, of St. Augustine. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three my special province." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Yes, all." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred was keenly on my guard against him. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears the ceiling. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official