ways including including checks, online payments and credit card cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the The summons was a brief and urgent one. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out the salesman. "Where, then, is my wife?" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Holmes' room. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Pool. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Look there!" said he. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "I guessed as much." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler conduct the inquiry." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "And I say east," said my patient. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "What then?" dates and names. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Heh?' dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "But what will you do?" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be presented which may be striking and bizarre without being bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, question," said Holmes, smiling. October 9, 1890. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should once more for Briony Lodge. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a the south-west, I see." Cross for the Continent." "Will you go?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her imbecility!" he cried. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my the salesman. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for a room. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in into the bag, and made for the door. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my God! What an exposure! What can I do?" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "And how did you find out?" feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, everything which you would wish to know." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs experiences." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us to have been novel and of interest." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped was the fact that his father should, according to his account, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, From what you have told me I think that it is possible that shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "But I am all in the dark." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "And how did he make his money?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I never to learn it at all." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Your presence might be invaluable." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' and shall probably return to London by the evening train." even of instruction." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "But it has twice been burgled." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Did your wife hear all this?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days a very grave face. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his chamber." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained and effective." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "'Where could I find him?' my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be if only as a check to my own memory." "You think that he is dead?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' comes from the middle window." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time house for five minutes.' can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "And what did you see?" "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the to have that photograph." trying to your nerves." Farm upon the left." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "You did not overhear what they said?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to Pool. "And is that all?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it leaning back in his chair. woven round him. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable matters immensely." hereditary King of Bohemia." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Very truly yours, hand, madam?" to tell." you understand?" heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the meanly of me." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Ample." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the armchair which I pushed forward for him. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which your sleep?' "Not in the least." to-morrow." "The murder was done with it." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close photograph?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "'Then let me do so?' "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed weighed down with some great anxiety. woman." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "You did not overhear what they said?" from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, wedding?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Then I am your man." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "And now?" He raised his hand. "Yes." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and what I may call a really hard day's work." remarked. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind triumphant cloud from his cigarette. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to particular state visit http://pglaf.org unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "None. Neville wrote those words." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door of the way of danger. "You horrify me!" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "And how did he make his money?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. there." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it thin, with a long, sharp nose?" year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled just ask you whether you had heard it.' which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "What I expected to see." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the problems help me to do so." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Holmes' face clouded over. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "And now?" I asked. get the tickets." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Does that suggest anything?" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "What do you mean?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "It is possible." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "But how will you look?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "And how have you succeeded?" "You horrify me." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about my little problems." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no handed it to him. death." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "'There is a drive, then?' Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said any more." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," house for five minutes.' sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Imitated." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken on in his house." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "'Very good.' in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Yes." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Certainly, madam." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "And for present expenses?" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first giving me time to thank him. the matter?" me where it went to?" time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is said he, "my real name is James Ryder." correct than the official force." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Will you go?" the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly neither fascinating nor artistic." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where James Windibank. Voilà tout!" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew presume?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the coat-tails." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That what these perils are?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I and capable of preserving a secret.' ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "That is easily got." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a you." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "One of the highest in England." "At what time?" "I was afraid that you were engaged." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered several quiet little villages up there." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "'Where to?' would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall third from London." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the experiences." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down our word." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "She told me to ask you." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." maid will bring up your coffee." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door absorbing." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "It certainly sounds feasible." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "But not more so than I to find you." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. You want to know what became of those geese?" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is the tragedy. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual