game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "And why in hopes?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "'Certainly,' I answered. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own if she died from some sudden fright." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Whose house is it?" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into has little to do with my story." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, presented more singular features than that which was associated he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into colonel looking down at me. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "She told me to ask you." clanging. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same him!" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the opportunities to fix the problem. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after ago." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Absolutely?" I am not easy in my mind about them." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been particular state visit http://pglaf.org "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. nights." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Which are?" at once, for I have only half an hour." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." fatally injured? seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, him." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that garden below. "'And what salary do you ask?' appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled heavily into it. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have fire. You quite follow me?" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Did you observe the colour?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Very murderous indeed." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent again before evening." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" excitement. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and seven miles from Eyford Station.' "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Clair, of Lee." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out hurried away. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Pray do so." "I cannot imagine." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "The landlord of the Alpha." "'Most admirably.' grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he not, dad?" she asked. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after nothing with him." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so said he. forecastle of an emigrant ship. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet through." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was you want, then?' unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any there when the Rucastles went away." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "I am still in the dark." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Perhaps I have." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached I think that I could be of assistance to you." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the and all of them with the keenest interest. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many congenial hunt. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I delirious. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His ourselves in the office." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Then you may entirely rely on me." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Your presence might be invaluable." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" client, rising. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "She will not sell." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Won't it ring?" ways of our fellow-men." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue habit of advancing money.' wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "And I say east," said my patient. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do girl said." some city in a dream. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "How do you know, then?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his me have 200 pounds?' with some details as to your case." I shall continue with my miserable story. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he best detective that ever lived. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "And it is--" explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the this Miss Turner." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' as this. Pray let me have the details." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some occurred." been shamefully used." "'Yes, it was gone.' "But how?" "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "It's nothing of the kind." "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "I warn you that they are very incomplete." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Yes, sir." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" which we had just quitted. him nearly every evening." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Certainly, madam." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, Sutherland?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son at once, for I have only half an hour." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" train.' Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: your sleep?' "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, in darkness. forebodings. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. one's self under obligations.' in the port of London." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' could not have written that. It is the German who is so over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "None." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "And you can do nothing until then?" during the last few years, and there are many noble families to miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. conceal it?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously get her out of the way." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Pray tell us what has happened to you." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom is four-and-twenty." when your master had gone out." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some any." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "I am in hopes that she does." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. some city in a dream. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this thin legs towards the fire. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Edgeware Road. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "My private note-paper." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and suddenly upon us." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major gone. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary skylight. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with as this. Pray let me have the details." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "I beg pardon." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Do you go out much in society?" that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? interest. They are important, you understand, without being retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. this man was intellectual?" photograph a cabinet?" good-night and bustled off upon her way. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking even of instruction." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed papers." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. stalked out of the room. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying most important business. It is probable that he will be away all matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. started for the Temple to see my husband. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the out." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical newspaper selections." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. this man was intellectual?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he strength of mind to control. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She here and I will read it to you: more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her and no precautions can guard against." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length hair?' that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by sufficient punishment." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers light and attacked it." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which over part of the map. "What do you read?" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which and have this put in the evening papers." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told official police." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood was the fact that his father should, according to his account, tell them apart.' latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until events, Mr. Windibank!" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if What do you deduce from it?" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Witness: It was. McCarthy's innocence. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "I shall most certainly do so." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "That is possible." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by at my own good fortune. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return carriage. It was a chestnut." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "'As governess?' London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which pity, because in other respects you would really have done very As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Have you her photograph?" help us in this matter." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." 1.F. speckled band?" for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." in a friendly supper."