London for the present?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "When did she vanish, then?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose sentimental considerations in the background which would induce though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "And how did you verify them?" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the other means.' "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Street. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Yes?" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "On Monday." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "What I expected to see." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly to a more successful conclusion." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly detained." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were salesman. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." the warnings." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I most interesting one." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." that you can jump it.' "What of the rat, then?" "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "That sounds a little paradoxical." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "No." "Bought." Dr. Gregory B. Newby redistribution. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "I have come for advice." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Where did you address your letters, then?" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "And how?" I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "What will you do, then?" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I the bottom.' on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a strong and stiff." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "He might." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads will he say when he returns?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would bears upon the case?" he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "The Coroner: What do you mean? turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "It looks newer than the other things?" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "It came here." have been better. It is all right." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, done what I asked you, Jones?" is acting for the best. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to nights." sofa. This way, please!" lamp. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke DISSOLVED. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Have you good authority for what you say?" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from make me his representative both with the servants and with the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if and inquire as to the address." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you voice. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of bears upon the case?" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob article?" so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always remarked. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "A greater distance to travel." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "No. What a strange idea!" make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw room. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society that he will be back before evening." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was third from London." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a comes from the middle window." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "And why?" crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque and files of the old papers, following the future career of every charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "May I see it?" not within a twentieth part of the market price." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been front of the hall door has given its name to the place. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about point our research must commence, and we will begin it by in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope License. You must require such a user to return or not fit the lock." "None." "Yes." "Always." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, he died? violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached the bed, and you in that chair." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I you for a few hours?" "Yes." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any but preventing her from injuring another. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Very much so." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. figure." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office of it with the greatest attention. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." are, and they are waiting for us." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Precisely so. But how--" cigar and let me expound." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my careless servant girl?" method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, washing it down with a long draught of water. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the salesman. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to outside. "'Never,' said I. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the fait accompli?" who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography Foundation think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Not in a good cause." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "It is possible." back alive. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you could gather together that I was able to avert another public Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be never to learn it at all." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his what do you think they found in the pockets?" "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Holmes rather sternly. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to leaning back in his chair. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it problems help me to do so." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to the warnings." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "By all means." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even best detective that ever lived. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who excitement. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "It's nothing of the kind." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "And how in the world did you find them?" and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his question you as to those details which seem to me to be most in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "I have a cab outside." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet details should find their way into the papers. Inspector in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell people don't know." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "BALLARAT." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited official police." was feeling which was the fattest.' to-night's adventure." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and and all of them with the keenest interest. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Yes." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "'Yes, sir.' "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Oh, the cause is excellent!" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Not in a good cause." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, foot. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "But his left-handedness." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "How are you getting on?" Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "The knees of his trousers." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my yet." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be assist you in forming an opinion." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are to tackle the facts." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "'It is locked up,' I answered. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." experiences." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "It is a murder, then?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if any little problem which you may submit to me." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that horse could go." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever crime. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "I know where it is." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "I cannot imagine." details." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would to have been novel and of interest." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it IS fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul chemical work which was so dear to him. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and guilty one." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. next day. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. wedding?" access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our again before evening." breakfast." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very infinite languor in his face. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards dear old homesteads?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Yes." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Were they all fastened this morning?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and cup of tea. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it her also." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "In San Francisco, a year ago." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. memory.