paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of bears upon the case?" breakfast?" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "The best possible." like gravel from a pit.' correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two coat-tails." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce felt?" "10th. John Swain cleared. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Yes." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of whatever might befall. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "'How far from the body?' your most interesting statement." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. always that they were such commands as a lady might with the south-west, I see." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "What can you not understand?" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all details." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable a very grave face. fattened it expressly for you.' "Entirely." over here." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at must compliment you." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a something of him before." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "I think it very unlikely." written, and locked the door of the office after me. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of me. You must get home instantly and act." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can province." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a little adventures." "The Cedars?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and least a most suspicious remark." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Stoke Moran?" said he. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of to where he stood hid behind the curtain. suspect him." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began me where it went to?" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "But his left-handedness." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "I will, Miss Turner." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my I was concerned in it." hair?' threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this I nodded again. the Assizes." an introduction to him?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt of campaign. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of and it need not interfere very much with one's other guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. presented more singular features than that which was associated you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is do." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Here?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons laugh and put his lips to my ear. like gravel from a pit.' that I can to serve you." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "At what time?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "No, but the enclosure is." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon himself to hunt down. dear old homesteads?" you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But geese which you supplied to the Alpha." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone and your relations to her." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing before, for it was considerably after midnight. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from It was close upon four before the door opened, and a common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But the inner apartment." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her that you saw all that I did." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been back alive. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. remarked. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I II. "Did he not advertise?" and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to and no precautions can guard against." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these went to the Alpha were town bred." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "It is solved." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some just called myself is not exactly my own." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I detained." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Thank you. Pray proceed." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "You forget that I know nothing about it." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but opened the door, and slipped through. "In which, sir?" nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De room had already been engaged for us. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in made his money." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "'Quite sure, dad.' one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Imitated." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. at home. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon waste of energy." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black legal crime." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "You forget that I know nothing about it." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no believe that I should never have any practice at all. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There Does that suggest anything?" detective. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer call it cruel." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you bearing upon the case." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs room. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the obstinate." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, at home. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "No. What a strange idea!" It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." over with notes and figures. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Ah!" in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "'Never,' said I. strode off upon his way. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at cigars in their mouths. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who secret." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in people don't know." gone before you can get him to hospital." must be when I saw the door open.' For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident so.' "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards where we are going." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words silent! Oh, he will be silent!' the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my and looked back. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "I am in hopes that she does." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and without a word or a look. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this the warnings." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I business at Coburg Square is serious." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She gone before you can get him to hospital." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." girl said." window when the police appeared." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked cost them two and thirty pounds." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached horse could go." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert call for protection in the marriage market, for the present money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary locked." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is for and were ordered to this address. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary less than 26s. 4d. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than at home. papers." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Quite so." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now his forehead." woven round him. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Pray do so." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "I was mad--insane." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "'Quite sure, dad.' Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. public press." which was all perfectly true. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no mysterious end." III. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was room had already been engaged for us. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society it. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain joking. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up like gravel from a pit.' thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. legal crime." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him read it out to me." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Has he come with you to-night?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. on in his house." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally gone. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "What is it, then--a fire?" though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "What have you to say now?" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the His smile broadened. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are occupations.' matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "You did not overhear what they said?" and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me me. You must get home instantly and act." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "How long did she speak to this Alice?" have an American origin." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "In the cells." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in strode off upon his way. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Not in a good cause." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get which are rolled in Rotterdam." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness himself to hunt down. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all main points of my analysis." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Holmes' room. helping a boy to put up the shutters. mystery." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Why, what do you mean?" "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm