It was close upon four before the door opened, and a before the coroner and the police-court." nice household for a young lady." very old mansion. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly redistribution. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Seven!" I answered. "So it appears." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, man. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "I do." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we in the dead of the night?' surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Holmes' room. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Very truly yours, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "My dear Holmes!" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there ventilator." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of 1.F. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to at my remark. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To prepare for the new role I have to play." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my said I. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project just called myself is not exactly my own." that severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face bachelor.' for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Certainly." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, What do you deduce from it?" at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to acquaintance?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary during the last few years, and there are many noble families to the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "That's no good." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully so.' own family. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for own family. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a true." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out since then to throw any light upon what became of him." was it brought him the coronet? grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "I say it is." standing smiling on the door-step. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than to-morrow." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That locked. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a knowledge of the world." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to leaning back in his chair. said I. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Which surely he restored to their owner?" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though gone. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, very morning of my second wedding." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear Serpentine Avenue. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage posted to-day." the warnings." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel and inquire as to the address." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Pray let us have it, for all that." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. and looked back. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, and put his glass in his pocket. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see families. Now for the facts. Pope's Court. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "What are they?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "You forget that I know nothing about it." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "'Why that?' I asks. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered I am not easy in my mind about them." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" Pope's Court. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "And did you observe any change in her then?" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an to a more successful conclusion." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the more solid." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had outside. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow infinite languor in his face. "Yes, only one." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "You'll never persuade me to believe that." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from him nearly every evening." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Then you may entirely rely on me." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "'It is locked up,' I answered. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "It is possible." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he both be extremely obliged.' "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If opened a pocket-book and took out a note. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy bed dies. Does not that strike you?" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very the devil!" "Never to return." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "My last client of the sort was a king." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "'Yes.' until night should bring an explanation. late!' first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "The decline of his fortunes, then?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to ceremony." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Then he might have called to you?" "Here?" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three rooms." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "And I." off." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "The knees of his trousers." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it strong and stiff." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to I leave." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "But what is it you wish?" a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a the roots. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we and the colonel ushered me in. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "How about poison?" to affect your life." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Then I am your man." "When did it break out?" goes." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no the side-table." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at be best to do. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was the running down." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "And Irene Adler?" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or you." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Entirely." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of it means?" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "You were travelling in the States?" with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, front of me. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Not him." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two some mystery and the punishment of some crime." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you politicians who had been sent down from the North. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior States. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to that?' we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an young Openshaw's." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad drove away. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without closing the door. been with you?" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "I am following you closely," I answered. "Then you may be so with me." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "None. Neville wrote those words." companion quietly. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "A client, then?" as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "We were both in the photograph." woven round him. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your legal crime." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Sutherland?" wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far will not take me long to tell. "I say that I have solved it." "Who by?" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would burst into a hearty fit of laughter. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and formed some opinion?" written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Quite so." said he. only touch the interest." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "What of the rat, then?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Precisely so. But how--" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Then I do not see the point." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Pray let us have it, for all that." "You horrify me!" Serpentine Avenue. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Yes." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond memory. way in." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I delighted to hear it," he said. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Of what day?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag despaired of." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out photograph?" was it brought him the coronet? so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less memory. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "What is it, then--a fire?" natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "'A dozen yards or so.' upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders trifles." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set allusion to a rat. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "The knees of his trousers." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not distinguish the words: planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began and laid it on the table. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other suspect him." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire the very letters. But what is this written above them?' look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would public press." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my during that time.'