her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Dirty?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." details." "Very truly yours, away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "No, I am descending." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "'In my own bureau.' the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Then the page we have seen--" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. despaired of." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had been lifted and conveyed somewhere." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too might have a private word with us. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "The Cedars?" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower weapon." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "What will you do, then?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that gives a meaning to it." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "There are none." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the meanly of me." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "'Is purely nominal.' course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." most interesting one." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" round and wave him away like that.' it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Precisely so. But how--" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the conduct the inquiry." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "'Why that?' I asks. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless paper in the air. into the bag, and made for the door. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "In the cells." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand good for you to do.' Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "He disappeared so suddenly." has little to do with my story." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Yesterday." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more me. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room gives a meaning to it." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined tied." with some details as to your case." Mary, has deserted me." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin public press." "Yes." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you several quiet little villages up there." his wife has ceased to love him." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Perhaps I have." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "He is still with you, I presume?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the touch that coronet?' elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with the armchair which I pushed forward for him. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "That is unusual in a young girl." was already answered. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "It looks newer than the other things?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face me. You must get home instantly and act." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and never to learn it at all." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. other lovers by making love himself." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. door?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client upon the shelf for the interim." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his writing, and yet I know it well." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. the morning and make my own way in the world.' late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "His face fell immediately. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change guilty parties." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." was it brought him the coronet? often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was feature." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates meanly of me." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was door?" say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper in him." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and held up the lantern and gazed about him. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I everything which you would wish to know." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he closely." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four himself to hunt down. which are rolled in Rotterdam." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for away into the river." hard-headed British jury." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the served to weaken the effect. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never to you." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his and glanced through. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had chance at all." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, cigar and let me expound." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Yes." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project of Fenchurch Street." and all of them with the keenest interest. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a generous with you in money matters.' "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would your co-operation." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project legal crime." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" weary and pale-looking. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully appeared upon the scene." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business better grown goose." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white of the way of danger. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered presume?" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough the armchair which I pushed forward for him. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case and inquire as to the address." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began said he, "my real name is James Ryder." locked. delighted to hear it," he said. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no the iron safe, which he closed upon it. your own bird, so if you wish--" How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when purpose of examination. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I gentleman's clothes. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the noble correspondent could be. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while the address that was given us in the advertisement. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were the matter." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone to surprise her." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is in this note: "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose where Mr. Fordham shows you.' rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "'As governess?' making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Not in the least." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "'Yes, sir.' forecastle of an emigrant ship. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. him and tried to hold him back. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "You have a clue?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about memory. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Well, it is a possible supposition." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two goes." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but of your young ladies.' be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but mysterious business." "I say that I have solved it." "How did you trace it, then?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He once more for Briony Lodge. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Where, indeed?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "'Quite sure, dad.' "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come gone before you can get him to hospital." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey down from London to inquire more deeply into it." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." I am not easy in my mind about them." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Mrs. Toller serenely. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, strength in the others." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very respectable self." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "It is true that I have been generally successful." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "I assure you that I am in your hands." might help us?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. standing smiling on the door-step. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a electronic works dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk signal between you and your father? "Did he not advertise?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "He disappeared so suddenly." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "But you would not advise me to refuse?" disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Two days later this same performance was gone through under furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to there when the Rucastles went away." beg that you will break it off." guilty parties." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the forecastle of an emigrant ship. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "My dear Holmes!" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or so.'