"And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary the room while you explain this matter?" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood the room while you explain this matter?" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us with the outside air!" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill could not account in any way for the presence of the missing sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "No legal papers or certificates?" lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what lids now and glanced across at his visitor. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "He said that you could solve anything." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies one which it was hard to resist. memory. "'Then let me do so?' "You have compromised yourself seriously." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Thank you. And your address?" cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Street. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Yes, I have one waiting." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an matter." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "'Yes, sir.' Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together but preventing her from injuring another. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in developed." Eyford." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "'Certainly not.' assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? better grown goose." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. hard-headed British jury." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "I am all attention, madam." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "But how?" "You horrify me." skylight. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Then you may entirely rely on me." "And what did you see?" "But it has twice been burgled." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Of what day?" few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to never came back." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "'Where to?' heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which in a friendly supper." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "I cannot as yet see any connection." brain must have something in it." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Well, but China?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of minor matters until to-morrow." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as business in the City. She little knew what. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a on in his house." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "'In my own bureau.' "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! nothing of it?" at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the appeared upon the scene." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "And how have you succeeded?" this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "'Entirely.' "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and back to my heart. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "I know where it is." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, drawing your inferences." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "I should like to see him very much." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house companion quietly. "Dr. Becher's." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps knowledge of the world." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "There are none." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how I was concerned in it." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Well, some hundreds of times." lumber-room." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "What will you do, then?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Heh?' served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from carried out of court." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and sake, don't!" to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that wanted for ourselves." "I will do it." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was completely overtopped every other consideration that we both companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the again." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Not in a good cause." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Holmes. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said character. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to be there in time for your coming." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Yes." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking impression behind it as though a window had gently closed always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have my special province." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless bed dies. Does not that strike you?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "What then?" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any good for you to do.' opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we murdered man." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a and effective." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "And now?" I asked. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, only touch the interest." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "That sounds a little paradoxical." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the of the efforts of the United States government and of the better went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite strength." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. views." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses strength." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they so.' knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "And from a noble client?" in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. was a loud and authoritative tap. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature respectable self." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Pray do so." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." that threaten you." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Do you go out much in society?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "And how have you succeeded?" face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely the devil!" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Farm upon the left." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the emerged. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "And you don't know his address?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just you understand?" yards of it?' the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you photograph a cabinet?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with introspective fashion. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" sufficient punishment." indeed happy." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "The murder was done with it." "Precisely." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. the coroner come to?" permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. constraint." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Did you become engaged then?" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the drawing your inferences." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael we went to search for him, face downward in a little cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had things are very often connected not with the larger but with the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "I guessed as much." to tackle the facts." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "That is unusual in a young girl." "Yes." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "I should like to see him very much." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you him, that man would not have given me such complete information Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up society." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "But to whom?" large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which house for five minutes.' all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the the side-table." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "What steps will you take?" I asked. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Perfectly so." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "There is the writing." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could people don't know." "Where, indeed?" lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day that I can to serve you." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "'Stolen!' he cried. light and attacked it." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both