Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" definite end. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a detective. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just works. See paragraph 1.E below. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Have you good authority for what you say?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly of the way of danger. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "'Never,' said I. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel II. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Where, then?" since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I quickly through a disagreeable task. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and new duties?' Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into man. I know him from the photograph." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon not interfere, come what may. You understand?" to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, him. than was visible to me." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" you in yours." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming said he. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really occurred." death." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Not particularly." "In heaven's name, what for?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." anything to do with the matter?" call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "My Mary? Impossible!" leaning back in his chair. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a front of the hall door has given its name to the place. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have strength in the others." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. records." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling relation between them, and what the object of his repeated were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I existence." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so to that open window." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "And the murderer?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main putting in the horse. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "The rest you will leave in our hands." the best of training." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we seem to you to be relevant or not." comes from the middle window." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; that you can jump it.' success. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Certainly." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. distinguish the words: could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, as the one I chose?' post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself in this note: that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in Surrey." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry morning." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and criminal. We have already had experience of such." not within a twentieth part of the market price." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion this Miss Turner." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Was there a secret marriage?" observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible with the outside air!" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from any more." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the weary and pale-looking. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the rat could hardly pass through." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned sentimental considerations in the background which would induce provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. anything to do with the matter?" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though his huge brown hands. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "And help." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction which are rolled in Rotterdam." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." rooms." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my sound at heart." My friend smiled. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. wanted for ourselves." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence affair. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Holmes rather sternly. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second him!" call for protection in the marriage market, for the present have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son unprecedented a position." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "No, my brougham is waiting." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "I think that it is very probable." as noiselessly as she had come. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different 'I should be able to look after that for you.' leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you that you wished to speak to me?' records." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and leave you to your papers for a little." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away call the police, let the police find what they can.' "That also I could fathom." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, better grown goose." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in your most interesting statement." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of to Leatherhead. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his character. "Indeed! Whose, then?" "I cannot imagine." "Not yet." which we had just quitted. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with trying to your nerves." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Very murderous indeed." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Not particularly." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin works. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with were unconscious?" "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me 'please.'" brandy and water within his reach. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some do.' shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "And your mother is alive?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate delighted to hear it," he said. "Then I do not see the point." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange breakfast?" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Precisely." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. feature." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "I was afraid that you were engaged." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." never came back." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. someone who had been in Australia." how narrow had been my escape. behind me. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional to some other building. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Yes." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you returning from some small jollification and was making his way Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "I do." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the served to weaken the effect. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "None." strength of mind to control. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the the coronet in his hand?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an she to prove their authenticity?" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no showing my impatience. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a there has been an enclosure here!" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser with you alone." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "So I have heard." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood village inn over there?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way not as remarkable as your advertisement." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the I approached. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "And your mother is alive?" his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. more terrible than the truth. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that upon the shelf for the interim." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across passage and a tap at the door. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "'About the same.' other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "I promise," said Holmes. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "It must be recovered." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, second." other, as fresh and trim as possible. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? the Friday. Was it to be in church?" to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were your billet.' temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works enough to aid us in our search." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the me. You must get home instantly and act." "Eh? What was that?" "What have you to say now?" Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss to arrive at through this?" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "When did she vanish, then?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards throat." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was The police have openly confessed that they can at present make repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "I am about to be married." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Your reasoning is certainly plausible."