notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he has little to do with my story." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six the driver. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how the tragedy. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this Holmes' face clouded over. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in room. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "And how did he make his money?" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his your Highness to the police-station?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel paper in the air. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Married! When?" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his there was no need for father to know." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for Lee, in the county of Kent." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought his wife has ceased to love him." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis again, where I was soon asleep. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "So I have heard." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "That you are never beaten." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever and have this put in the evening papers." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his infinite languor in his face. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Where does the thing come from?' rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Perhaps we may make them less so." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, the King without delay." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly throat." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged horse could go." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "'I have already given you my word.' and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy certainly do as you advise." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your stammered. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" read over the extraordinary announcement. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I call it cruel." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but envelope. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life interest. They are important, you understand, without being came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "At what time?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "But your client--" column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Then you may entirely rely on me." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was in. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold The police have openly confessed that they can at present make side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "And is that all?" always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my is a common subject for conversation. "Perhaps we may make them less so." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow people in all walks of life. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, behind me. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless look upon these things in a different way." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "And who is her maid?" tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual pound a week." chill to my heart. "Absolutely?" "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a good-night and bustled off upon her way. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all one else, I think." I leave." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the to you." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "And why in hopes?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Nothing." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite and the whole place is in a blaze." back into the street. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear one else, I think." furiously. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "There are none." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Because he was handy and would come cheap." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. me have 200 pounds?' particular state visit http://pglaf.org the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, again, where I was soon asleep. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Heh?' "It is no ordinary one." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose heavy and sharp instrument." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. said I. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." read over the extraordinary announcement. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange which it had come upon my father." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. details." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "'Which dealer's?' her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still matter." official police." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' where Mr. Fordham shows you.' right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "It is true that I have been generally successful." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "'And what are they worth?' I asked. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a into the bag, and made for the door. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Was your sister dressed?" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as particular state visit http://pglaf.org than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction the stable lane now." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who shag which I had seen upon the previous night. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. be best to do. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are populous neighbourhood." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "And the cigar-holder?" eavesdroppers?' dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was carried out of court." formed some opinion?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' you give your casting vote to?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do think that any burglar could have done. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account American. Then who could this American be, and why should he refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to passage and a tap at the door. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the you in your example." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by followed. "We have tried and failed." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "A client, then?" "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his extraordinary contortions. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there room?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its of Mr. Rucastle's." into the room. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went go from here to the Strand." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. to-night?' clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through was a perfect sample of the class. bearing upon the case." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has the room while you explain this matter?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They heavily into it. charge against him will break down." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly persecution?" whereabouts. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed in my life." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar to a light-house. London for the present?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Yes, he did." "No, I had a dozen." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, dead, shall be safe with us." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at I approached. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The are windows in it, of course?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "I have hopes." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "But who is he?" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls said I. what is your own theory as to what took place?" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. taking in every detail of the apartment. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, your Highness to the police-station?" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll back into the street. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Clair, of Lee." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions thin, with a long, sharp nose?" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was said I. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he thirty. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "I have seen the police." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Certainly." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do you understand?" gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement call it cruel." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "That's no good." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "She will not sell." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Arthur Conan Doyle something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would 11:15.' face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "I think it very unlikely." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "But how did you gain them?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many asked. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Surrey." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase him to go away.' and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the introspective fashion. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" and the colonel ushered me in. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be I have it here in my museum." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of that, and I came down." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a you want, then?' the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between