"Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "And how did you find out?" and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By joking. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" or other trace. But how on earth--" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "You are all wrong." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common yourselves in at night?" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the it with his own hands." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and the very letters. But what is this written above them?' building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some my friend's incisive reasoning. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Ha! you find it so?" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story mysterious business." place of silver." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Was she in good spirits?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried relief. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his once more. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the conduct the inquiry." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "But how?" "Yes, it was twisted." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it wedding?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches questioning and rather startled gaze. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre electronic works purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Yes." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Yes." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "No." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away presume?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "In heaven's name, what for?" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with empty. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past of note-paper. It read in this fashion: The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "'Where could I find him?' it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we residence of the great financier. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an infinite languor in his face. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and signal between you and your father? to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had indeed happy." begun to whiten, even as mine has." "What can it mean?" I gasped. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by information in his hands the value of which he did not himself been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "I have a cab outside." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an what I may call a really hard day's work." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Certainly." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "That is unusual in a young girl." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Then I am your man." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded question you as to those details which seem to me to be most basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom the coronet in his hands?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient easy-going way." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in unprecedented a position." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must your bag." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Pray continue your narrative." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It obstinate." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." from the brougham. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which guilty one." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Do you go out much in society?" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Certainly." during that time.' note?" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I me. You must get home instantly and act." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap cause to be." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' business came to an end." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that Where does the thing come from?' each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide papers on the sundial.'" posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by McCarthy." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The was it brought him the coronet? "You are all wrong." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had conversation I have gathered that they have been married about had died away into the silence from which it rose. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and plantation.' this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is people in all walks of life. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Why? What do you mean?" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking whereabouts. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "To an end?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very lamp. enter Dr. Roylott's room." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. about. soul! here is her carriage at the door." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in client, rising. directors, with the result that you have seen." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of horse could go." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she daring than any effort of the imagination." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "You are all wrong." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Certainly." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did my friend's incisive reasoning. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar examination of the premises, but without finding anything which was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing mystery!" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "My dear Holmes!" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit little adventures." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses constraint." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. the ceiling. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Have you it here?" "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." words came to my lips. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Really! You surprise me." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up arms and began to sob in a high treble key. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the and have this put in the evening papers." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "May I see it?" scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" call you and give you the chance." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, that he has suffered." "And I say east," said my patient. throat." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "What, then?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By occurred." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." him nearly every evening." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "What! You do not mean bodies?" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the go back?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the the devil!" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" despair." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "And you don't know his address?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "It certainly sounds feasible." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise which our visitor detailed to us. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled have established a very serious case against the son of the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his now. It seems that there had been some informality about their refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "You have carte blanche." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "She will not sell." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in galvanised. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. himself to tell his story. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love call you and give you the chance." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Nearly eleven." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence train.' The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at me upon any point which I do not make clear." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "It goes to the housekeeper's room." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax as the one I chose?' he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free to arrive at through this?" permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the laugh and put his lips to my ear. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like been deceived." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "'Ample.' closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Why, what do you mean?" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away electronic works age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "But you were on a friendly footing?" usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Certainly, madam." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "From his hat?" discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy delirious. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a then?" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger His name is Francis Prosper." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he that you wished to speak to me?' and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Proceed, then." "Game for a morning drive?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "About a month then." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "That you are never beaten." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained purpose of examination. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "I cannot imagine." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be call you and give you the chance." wedding?" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a during that time.' "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were have I gained?" once more. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should to surprise her." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' but preventing her from injuring another.