rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in have been better. It is all right." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to soul! here is her carriage at the door." recover the gem." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were annoyance, but no jest. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know It may be so in this case, also." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and at a side door. him. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him went to the Alpha were town bred." the driver. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of arms and began to sob in a high treble key. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The habit of advancing money.' miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was in a friendly supper." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that man. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, this unhappy family?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "And what did you learn from him?" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some appointment with me for six o'clock?" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. purpose of examination. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "What!" he roared. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. figure." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew towards the blaze. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "'Yes.' introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I extraordinary contortions. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Ah!" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which morning." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The take the flies, but not before." "Only as much as we can deduce." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I shoulder. weary and pale-looking. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very upon the white wrist. acted in my house last night?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly his grey eyes. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable wanted for ourselves." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the unprecedented a position." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "What?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the inquest, and which are worth considering." "'In my own bureau.' woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose could not have written that. It is the German who is so strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "No bad?" "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, hereditary King of Bohemia." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were if only as a check to my own memory." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "You horrify me." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is already referred to. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were but preventing her from injuring another. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" discontent upon his features. the stable lane now." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "And your father? Did you tell him?" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's be.' low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "What are they?" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under what I may call a really hard day's work." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a himself to tell his story. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "No." "Yes, that is the Crown." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "'How far from the body?' beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "What of the rat, then?" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you question," said Holmes, smiling. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Nearly eleven." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could relation between them, and what the object of his repeated months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, it." "My last client of the sort was a king." said he. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were enter Dr. Roylott's room." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and which should have the effect of calling the attention of the maid will bring up your coffee." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do easy-going way." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "You have compromised yourself seriously." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other chance." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the bare slabs of marble. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "And is that all?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the discontent upon his features. even of instruction." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Well, it is a possible supposition." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "I am all attention, madam." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "But you can know nothing of this?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to constraint." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say just ask you whether you had heard it.' felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "At the wedding breakfast." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through recover the gem." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as me, and I could not think that his explanation of the cigars in the box." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "At half-wages, in fact." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "No. His orders were to stay in the house." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Ha! you find it so?" "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his me. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Dr. Gregory B. Newby made him keep the appointment." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Stolen, then." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Yes." how narrow had been my escape. presented more singular features than that which was associated held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds he. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "The Coroner: What do you mean? and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where lamp in his hand. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A threw himself down with his face to the pillow. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Seven!" I answered. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "And help." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, 1.E.9. any little problem which you may submit to me." in a friendly supper." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had James Windibank. Voilà tout!" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. that threaten you." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate shoulder. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite in one or two places in England?' "Not I." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Street. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ little adventures." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your strode off upon his way. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Surrey." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and said Mr. Holder. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated weigh very heavily upon my conscience." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "You will not go there first?" Holmes' room. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on brain must have something in it." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem plantation.' "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the past. "Yes?" back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I criminal. We have already had experience of such." or other trace. But how on earth--" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business intimate personal affairs in this public manner." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had again, where I was soon asleep. "Yes?" words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Why serious?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "'What do you call purely nominal?' have been better. It is all right." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that upon a handsome competence. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Has he come with you to-night?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "My stepfather's business papers." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Just look it up, then." I leave." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure weighed down with some great anxiety. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. shaken than I had ever seen him. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my brought there to personate someone, and the real person is begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." keep the flames under. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and his eyes and forehead. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." of the vacancies.' noble correspondent could be. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' easy-going way." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the status with the IRS. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have less than 26s. 4d. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "The Cedars?" 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "I am armed." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question there was no need for father to know." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards morning." "I have come for advice." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to and the colonel ushered me in. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I village inn over there?" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie like that before?" to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "I will, Miss Turner." presented more singular features than that which was associated us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them together. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. someone who had been in Australia." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Not I." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If the Friday. Was it to be in church?" Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful straighten it?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "One of his hands." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Yes." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for pound a week." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was wedding?" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Stolen, then."