over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to colour had been driven from his face. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "'Certainly not.' Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of shoulder; "he's all right." business in the City. She little knew what. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had in his power. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those was feeling which was the fattest.' kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You this unhappy family?" disappearance of these gems?" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. populous neighbourhood." "She showed me, as I told you she would." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she subject to the trademark license, especially commercial always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Always." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Then I shall certainly come." used to be." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I good-night and bustled off upon her way. strength." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "In San Francisco, a year ago." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with before, for it was considerably after midnight. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. such attractions and accomplishments?' can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid wedding?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears joking. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, and the church but not where the lady lived." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing here." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "To an English lawyer named Norton." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my the stones. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend own family. records." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "You were travelling in the States?" with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were The events in question occurred in the early days of my colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice them?" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its overpowering excitement and concern. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the stable lane now." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his drawing your inferences." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "You horrify me." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." this man was intellectual?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Yes." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt money should be paid at once.' Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, me where it went to?" prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the wall." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, cigars in the box." depend upon your compliance." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project acted in my house last night?" hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that The King stared at him in amazement. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang in my life." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at searched, without anything being found which could incriminate up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Yesterday." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Is he quiet?" my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Yes." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was was the fact that his father should, according to his account, it means?" screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he taking in every detail of the apartment. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "It is a murder, then?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress public press." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Nearly eleven." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. as yours." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some was keenly on my guard against him. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was figure." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "My dear Holmes!" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an enter into my head. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached taking in every detail of the apartment. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both yards of it?' facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a desk. you came in." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He in a very precise fashion." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty tail." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying was already answered. "What will you say?" "'Yes, it was gone.' reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, eat it." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit with you?" four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "She walked into the breakfast-room." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face what is your own theory as to what took place?" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, populous neighbourhood." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a jewels which you have stolen?' have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he soul! here is her carriage at the door." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer next day. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out envelope. who was a member of your goose club." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had papers diligently of late, have you not?" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the redistribution. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but written, and locked the door of the office after me. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. them present such singular features as the strange train of the stable lane now." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Nor running a chance of arrest?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." together. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes the coronet in his hand?" rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "This concluded the examination of the witness." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." emerged. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Have you her photograph?" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a not as remarkable as your advertisement." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, was not a bird to be seen there. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they which we had just quitted. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Quite so. She has her freedom." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, again, where I was soon asleep. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "In answer to an advertisement." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears what is your own theory as to what took place?" "'I have already given you my word.' "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. will be renamed. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." respectable self." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Yesterday." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those London for the present?" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. answer." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "'I am sure if I had known--' look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "It must be recovered." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "'What would be the hours?' I asked. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Precisely." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "I beg pardon." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Awake, Watson?" he asked. directors, with the result that you have seen." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can digesting their breakfasts at home." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. late." humiliation." quick march!" unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between and effective." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "And what then?" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can chill to my heart. good-night and bustled off upon her way. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies him." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "It is very kind of you." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came and your relations to her." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and than was visible to me." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I train from Paddington which would bring you there at about union?" business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in been able to understand it, in a very few words. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is experiences." "It looks newer than the other things?" correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too to-night." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church the best of training." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and advice." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "'Yes, sir.' "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's to his chemical studies. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, the best of training." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "No." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." not personally threatened." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, you?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and business at Coburg Square is serious." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I so far?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless lips." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "In which, sir?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning into the bag, and made for the door. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able man. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Her father is very rich?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I