better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about and laid it on the table. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "I think that I had better go, Holmes." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There His name is Francis Prosper." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Yes, from Horsham." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the in a very precise fashion." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive indeed happy." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold absorbing." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Holmes. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not is worth.' deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. I have it here in my museum." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical allusion to a rat. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "I guessed as much." the running down." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a new acquaintance to Baker Street. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with you do it in twenty minutes!' before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a himself to hunt down. helping a boy to put up the shutters. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Frequently." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Come in!" said Holmes. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. hopeless attempt at recovering them." mystery may be cleared along those lines." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and father's place of business?" 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "And when will you call?" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "And who is her maid?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he which are rolled in Rotterdam." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate threw himself down with his face to the pillow. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "'Certainly,' I answered. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "And the murderer?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand excitement. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is McCarthy." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Holmes, the busybody!" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was hurried by. held up the lantern and gazed about him. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "That's no good." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Dirty?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is the dangers which encompass me." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Very truly yours, "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook heavily into it. arrangements." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Gutenberg-tm License. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin me have 200 pounds?' rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "But how?" he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the is," said he presently: "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was outside. Count Von Kramm." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get shall use the carriage to-night." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place Mrs. Toller serenely. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the becomes even more simple." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was have an American origin." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "They are typewritten," I remarked. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "I don't say that. Perhaps." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed sparkled upon his finger. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "'Never.' some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Entirely." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand affair. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." together. be. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Witness: I must still refuse. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock passage and a tap at the door. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "The Cedars?" awkward doing business with an alias." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his one or two very singular points about this room. For example, to talk it over. as the one I chose?' protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, have one." "How on earth--" him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "I cannot tell." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the present." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "By no means." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "My dear Holmes!" Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be arrangements." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great such attractions and accomplishments?' As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "I think it very unlikely." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses indeed happy." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and companion imperturbably. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend salesman. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. taking in every detail of the apartment. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Did you become engaged then?" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning astonishment. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' you came in." "And for present expenses?" it means?" "Come in!" said he. the bottom.' at once, for I have only half an hour." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was which are rolled in Rotterdam." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "He might." asked with his eyes open. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one be.' "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission one else, I think." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "By all means." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "You will not go there first?" them?" "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further character. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good the station." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. http://www.gutenberg.net his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at some water from a caraffe. best detective that ever lived. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If if she died from some sudden fright." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with with you alone." "I fear not." these bleak autumnal evenings." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Yesterday." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had II. other, as fresh and trim as possible. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there desk. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, was a perfect sample of the class. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my if she died from some sudden fright." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, some city in a dream. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose charge against him will break down." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters legal crime." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "When did it break out?" promised to bring home. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon to have been novel and of interest." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious very peculiar words of the dying woman?" married her." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "And now?" I asked. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can speckled band?" "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." what I may call a really hard day's work." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a people in all walks of life. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman clanging. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the thin legs towards the fire. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Pray do so." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the flock.' "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard good-night and bustled off upon her way. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Sholtos." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were before, for it was considerably after midnight. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of call the police, let the police find what they can.' You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well to some other building. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as presence could be of no help to them in their investigations.