passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "'In my own bureau.' gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the roused himself from his reverie. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Watson," he said cordially. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that strode off upon his way. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to me. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "I should wish to." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Eh? What was that?" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great crowd. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and on re-entering her father's house?" of the one which your family is now devouring." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "She walked into the breakfast-room." "What will you say?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, friend's singular character. "The landlord of the Alpha." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both have an American origin." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "It is no ordinary one." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. case-book, which he consulted. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "The murder was done with it." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a yourselves in at night?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the will he say when he returns?" they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "No." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. in him." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "It's nothing of the kind." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the night.' said he. "And how did you find out?" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." bill, which interests me deeply." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty written. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "'Yes, it was gone.' Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his bachelor.' call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in might have a private word with us. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice someone who had been in Australia." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. ceremony." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Really! You surprise me." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Nothing." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a spare." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a most important business. It is probable that he will be away all confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "It was an hour's good drive." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Never." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the it were putty." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I death." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, any little problem which you may submit to me." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone shoulder. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly business in the City. She little knew what. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary second window is the one that I jumped from." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, off." assist you in forming an opinion." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I congratulate you again." "Yes. He waved his hands." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us I shall communicate with you." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that crowd. IS It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. be.' the one as in the other." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "What can you not understand?" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the to that open window." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "What have you to say now?" Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual them?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying name is different." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his way in everything. come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Ah!" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his charge against him will break down." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden your room." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "The King of Scandinavia." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel call you and give you the chance." again before evening." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Edgeware Road. disappearance of the bride.'" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "But how could you guess what the motive was?" examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's come either from the window or the door. My attention was the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into official police." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: not, dad?" she asked. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign feature." these bleak autumnal evenings." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have and looked back. "Yes. He waved his hands." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused question you as to those details which seem to me to be most trying to your nerves." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle dear old homesteads?" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client if only as a check to my own memory." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "I cannot imagine." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to test if we have an answer to our advertisement." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open was already answered. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly hurried away. "Upon what point?" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "She will not sell." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was ventilator." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really the house with me." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Yes, certainly." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an point in the dark hollow of his hand. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" For additional contact information: and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "He disappeared so suddenly." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "That you are never beaten." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" allusion to a rat. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a do.' Heh?' A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." is acting for the best. "Yes." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be business in the City. She little knew what. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the obstinate." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came works. See paragraph 1.E below. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your you." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the opportunities to fix the problem. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," him to go away.' serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "'Ten to two.' belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "It missed him, then?" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of strong reason behind." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our works. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "And you don't know his address?" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that you found me to-night--and running through the front room she successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards you in your example." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it fashion which was peculiar to him. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally delirious. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Eh? What was that?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of round with crates and massive boxes. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and the dangers which encompass me." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon him." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: frequently gained my first real insight into the character of behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock forebodings. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but enough to aid us in our search." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "I answered that I had not. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank them, and came down just as you departed. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his depend upon my doing so.' Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "I have my revolver," said I. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending searched, without anything being found which could incriminate passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Not I." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "You don't mind breaking the law?" visitors." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Yes, from Horsham." hardly wander." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "What, then?" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been