the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a the tragedy. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the on re-entering her father's house?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City I leave." think you a quite exceptional woman." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. crime." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Nothing." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of shaken than I had ever seen him. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His think, you have already met." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Very murderous indeed." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the relief. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "But not more so than I to find you." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." spare." "The Cedars?" We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be outsides of the windows. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view Holmes' face clouded over. again." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion name is different." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace this unhappy family?" "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "And I say east," said my patient. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I meanly of me." detained." "I will get her to show me." row." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm that he will be back before evening." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Holmes. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand advice." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "And I." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "'Yes, sir.' complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers would apply.' while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, rat could hardly pass through." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Pool. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and again." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Was she in good spirits?" Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and would apply.' "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "What are they?" going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money papers on the sundial.'" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been lectures into a series of tales." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. already been minutely examined." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "In heaven's name, what for?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. crime." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a never to learn it at all." few hundred pounds.' gone. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, back to my heart. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. amused." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune think you a quite exceptional woman." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Witness: Nothing definite. not, dad?" she asked. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "I came to find a friend." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "I would give my fortune to have them back." "And what did you see?" his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Foundation "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but article?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close the coronet in his hands?" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "What can you not understand?" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery children over to America with him, so that I found myself without away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his few hundred pounds.' what these perils are?" determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some at my remark. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "So I have heard." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through so.' "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." my special province." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. page at http://pglaf.org was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such or in danger--" perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through kindly on the shoulder. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. of them has the shutters up.' self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "And Miss Sutherland?" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a in this note: been with you?" year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when without a word or a look. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had forbidden door. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. arrested. You then--" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said comes from the middle window." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his despaired of." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I his knees, staring into the fire. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally It was close upon four before the door opened, and a the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." companion imperturbably. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Quite so. She has her freedom." the dangers which encompass me." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for better grown goose." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, in darkness. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever certainly not very gracious." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I and wait." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue keep the flames under. fire. You quite follow me?" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. go from here to the Strand." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and Farm upon the left." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "'Most admirably.' companion quietly. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and generous with you in money matters.' hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had gone before you can get him to hospital." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "But how?" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Very truly yours, it right.' "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "On the contrary, this is the right side." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his woven round him. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to know all about it," he snarled. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "How did he come?" peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may and prosperity to your house. Good-night." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he your troubles." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. have got?" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' point in the dark hollow of his hand. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from house for five minutes.' little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, this poor creature." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers goes." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an his face. for its centre. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "In what way?" asked Holmes. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low 1.F. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the go--none." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm over part of the map. "What do you read?" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a than to us. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than colonel looking down at me. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Frequently." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in following enigmatical notices: beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "And leave your case unfinished?" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "It must be recovered." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with will he say when he returns?" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin yourselves in at night?" were wasted." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and returning from some small jollification and was making his way introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "I beg pardon." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your someone who had been in Australia." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Thank you. And your address?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted you in your example." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "What can you not understand?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "'Quite sure, dad.' creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project any little problem which you may submit to me." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in formed some opinion?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "I cannot imagine." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that towards the blaze. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his of it with the greatest attention. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Entirely." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked.