hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Yes." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Not in a good cause." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, would apply.' her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Seven!" I answered. think you a quite exceptional woman." one of them." the salesman. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never south, for the country is more deserted there." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "I think that it is very probable." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well round with crates and massive boxes. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in up this clue while it is still hot." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Leadenhall Street--and--" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every whether it answered to the description of any of their fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the case before our client came into the room." "'And the work?' which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "You were travelling in the States?" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, she might be summoned. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "That is not always so easy." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a troubles have been weighing upon his mind. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without light and attacked it." later, upon the night of May 2nd." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up showing my impatience. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small drawing your inferences." like that before?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. been able to understand it, in a very few words. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "How do you know, then?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "What have you to say now?" meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect clang of the bell. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Eh? What was that?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and dates and names. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "'Ample.' man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any made him keep the appointment." rat could hardly pass through." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls up this clue while it is still hot." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary you want, then?' which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, already referred to. Foundation of Mr. Rucastle's." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door whole matter to your consideration." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior man. I know him from the photograph." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low province." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can the bottom.' lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he mystery may be cleared along those lines." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, asked. a room. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in the house with me." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution front of the hall door has given its name to the place. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of absolutely follow my advice in every respect." the inquest, and which are worth considering." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was other lovers by making love himself." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "At the wedding breakfast." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. yards of it?' natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "You don't mind breaking the law?" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." sound at heart." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "I cannot imagine." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant garden below. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Precisely." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. strength in the others." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Yes." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and and capable of preserving a secret.' "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But shadow pass over his face as I spoke. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. some water from a caraffe. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Where to?" should be taken.' "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "None." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "A confidential servant?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "'What, the red-headed man?' "No." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and least a most suspicious remark." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom mystery!" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Quite so." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, so far?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt and no precautions can guard against." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Yesterday." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is words came to my lips. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take ran thus: fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. at a side door. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Yes, sir." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. we went to search for him, face downward in a little mystery!" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and imbecility!" he cried. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "And you thought he was pulled back?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Does that suggest anything?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "He is dead," cried several voices. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's unprecedented a position." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon delighted to hear it," he said. "It was an hour's good drive." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's to some other building. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some to affect your life." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged affair. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, to that open window." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a and capable of preserving a secret.' one's self under obligations.' sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "I say that I have solved it." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until lost his Christmas dinner." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Her father is very rich?" naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there of the one which your family is now devouring." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' introspective fashion. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." you came in." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I emerged. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "When did it break out?" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. business." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon answer." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of way in everything. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "But how?" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "How did he come?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "But you have hopes?" "But how will you look?" "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their of fine shops and stately business premises that they really 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, next day. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "But the mystery?" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" to his chemical studies. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, not within a twentieth part of the market price." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind *** START: FULL LICENSE *** I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could and the whole place is in a blaze." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "'I have already given you my word.' his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 weapon." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It beyond words. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now direction." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Yes." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business tension within him. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings horse could go." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Foundation possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Where to?" the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Where, then, is my wife?" assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It correct than the official force." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "No. What a strange idea!" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were the devil!" I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." neither fascinating nor artistic." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to Foundation envelope. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "To the police?" Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from