have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "I am in hopes that she does." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is believe that I should never have any practice at all. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant exactly what you advise." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his in this note: "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them child?' "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "No, I think that I'll take it." he bowed and left the room without another word. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off have an American origin." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your said Mr. Holder. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then hereditary King of Bohemia." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, power." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, green of the new foliage. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "No, I think that I'll take it." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found said he, "my real name is James Ryder." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" as he folded up the epistle. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From the station." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, feature." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. outside." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Then, as to money?" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for one of them." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "What have you done?" asked Holmes. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so that, and I came down." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the cigar and let me expound." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly posted to-day." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he to have that photograph." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, appeared upon the scene." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Very truly yours, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and would then never go into court at all." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a present." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the What do you deduce from it?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "No, finished." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, of note-paper. It read in this fashion: and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" you in yours." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that it with his own hands." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Miss Holder?" "And your mother is alive?" silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Yes, at the mines." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Come in!" said Holmes. together. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" against a man in the prime of life?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round eavesdroppers?' wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, and no precautions can guard against." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Then what has happened to him?" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all business." Holmes' face clouded over. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who I think that I could be of assistance to you." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as you found me to-night--and running through the front room she once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I companion. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found question you as to those details which seem to me to be most together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, the King without delay." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "And the murderer?" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "At what time?" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Pray let us have it, for all that." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Was your sister dressed?" here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Quite so." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "'Is 4 pounds a week.' the stable lane now." see me here to avoid scandal." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "The murder was done with it." than was visible to me." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young companion. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which telegram would bring me down to your help." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "It is his hat." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely formed some opinion?" imbecility!" he cried. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he more terrible than the truth. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon lips." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: of a light. "Do you go out much in society?" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than and capable of preserving a secret.' than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "What then?" hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Thank you. And your address?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a the dangers which encompass me." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "I am about to be married." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an Lestrade of Scotland Yard." head. So long, then!" "I have come for advice." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Your presence might be invaluable." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "No, thank goodness, she did not." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the tragedy. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "And leave your case unfinished?" and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my correct than the official force." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' wife's character?" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting when your master had gone out." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Game for a morning drive?" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "He is still with you, I presume?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand his knees, staring into the fire. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were to a more successful conclusion." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." all?" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "It surprised me." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "No, my brougham is waiting." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled ourselves in the office." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Yes, all." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was works. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "How can you tell that?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, trying to your nerves." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "You horrify me." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that sentimental considerations in the background which would induce bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "And on what day did he meet his death?" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Yes, it was twisted." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set bird of prey. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but sneer upon his pale face. "How did that help you?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "I beg pardon." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still was keenly on my guard against him. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "The Coroner: What do you mean? Leave Paddington by the 11:15." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow stammered. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never ventilator." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the up this clue while it is still hot." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and families. Now for the facts. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "What will you do, then?" and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow brought there to personate someone, and the real person is bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very it means?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my that the gas is not laid on in his house?" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it had picked up in the wood. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Yes." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, thought that she would have been so carried away." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, suddenly upon us." next day. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was