latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "No legal papers or certificates?" Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "What then?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" should be taken.' License. You must require such a user to return or platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed me upon any point which I do not make clear." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Yes." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I writer." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, green of the new foliage. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Does that suggest anything?" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "It is very clear." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "My opinion is in no way altered." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "I cannot tell." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "What then?" something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "One horse?" interjected Holmes. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "He is still with you, I presume?" "Who was the criminal, then?" British peeress.'" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see success. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of that he has suffered." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful there has been an enclosure here!" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Yes." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend crackling voice. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most you understand?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, carpenter." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in there in twenty minutes." coroner's jury." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest to you." "I guessed as much." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "To an end?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? singular points about the case. What did the police think of the simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Then I can wait in the next room." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be should be taken.' have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the his cane at the bell-pull. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go present strange and interesting features that it is no easy occupations.' Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. indeed happy." thin legs towards the fire. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each shall use the carriage to-night." "'Yes, it was gone.' distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my when your master had gone out." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you if only as a check to my own memory." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "They are typewritten," I remarked. floor. has little to do with my story." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "No." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End what I may call a really hard day's work." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal think, you have already met." Farm upon the left." "I shall be delighted." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the said he. acquaintance?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are humiliation." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole papers must be those that are destroyed.' been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "'Oh, no.' hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "I cannot imagine." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Look there!" said he. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country interested in these little problems, and since you are good making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "To the police?" hopeless attempt at recovering them." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. asked. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "'Yes, I promise.' chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously fatally injured? for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the humiliation." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They behind me. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a then?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "I shall be delighted." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "How do you know, then?" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of key of the affair now." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the married her." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in towards the blaze. closely." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "No." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a I nodded to show that I had heard. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "He slept on the premises." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "And is that all?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through you found me to-night--and running through the front room she darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." ceremony." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "No, I think that I'll take it." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about existence." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "And how did he make his money?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: bill, which interests me deeply." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much several quiet little villages up there." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your very old mansion. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "You'll never persuade me to believe that." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate anything to a woman, for she would have her way." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a it." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to is so. I know all about McCarthy." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the on re-entering her father's house?" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which a very grave face. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. constraint." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection dramatic, in fact." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, one's self under obligations.' cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing you in your example." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As and have this put in the evening papers." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is and shall probably return to London by the evening train." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered business." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until empty. "Here?" "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" the stones. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Not him." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his that?' my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" if she died from some sudden fright." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull meanly of me." rose-bushes. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the fluttered off among the others. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "I know where it is." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best case before our client came into the room." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "To an end?" Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up him!" which we had just quitted. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "I cannot imagine." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Do you know him?" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "How many? I don't know." for securing the situation." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round something of him before." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One details should find their way into the papers. Inspector derbies." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three is," said he presently: "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "But how did you gain them?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called a very grave face. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "And why?" fasten all the windows?" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my once more for Briony Lodge. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to him. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Yes." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "And what did you learn from him?" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. bell. Holmes whistled. II. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Where, then?" "VIOLET HUNTER." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Your French gold?" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. in. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." Arthur Conan Doyle it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "I shall most certainly do so." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "He said that you could solve anything." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "'I have heard so.' would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Game for a morning drive?" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "No. What a strange idea!" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Perfectly so." "A client, then?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For to where he stood hid behind the curtain. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the salesman. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the one's self under obligations.' after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you have accepted such a situation. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "'Not at all. I only doubt--' partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few voice, changing her seat as requested. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star."