He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I said he. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average observed. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "He might." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had the matter." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am done what I asked you, Jones?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, skylight. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of in him." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Game for a morning drive?" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than was keenly on my guard against him. "No." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "I have solved it." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Why did you beat the pavement?" "I beg pardon." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "No, distinctly professional." the inquest, and which are worth considering." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' good for you to do.' "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer examine." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to arrangements." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." chance at all." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an II. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "I see many objections to any such theory." chamber." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! of receipt of the work. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, formed some opinion?" away to you." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Very well, sir. And this stone?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "About a month then." on re-entering her father's house?" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "You horrify me." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil was a lad." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "When did she vanish, then?" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. with the outside air!" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is his eyes and forehead. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "I cannot imagine." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four and the whole place is in a blaze." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was advice." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Holmes rather sternly. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of the King without delay." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but too. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "BALLARAT." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he galvanised. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, said he. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "But what is it you wish?" myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." his eyes and forehead. murdered man." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it since then to throw any light upon what became of him." the little opening for the ventilator is." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's think, you have already met." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "What steps will you take?" I asked. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the were new raised from a basin. Where does the thing come from?' every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "What, then?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the other, as fresh and trim as possible. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the window when the police appeared." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time locked." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my the room while you explain this matter?" yards of it?' my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "We were both in the photograph." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk letters?" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, of Mr. Rucastle's." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Whose house is it?" "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." in a friendly supper." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went because she had spent so short a time in this country that she brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." cheerful." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted absorbing." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Look there!" said he. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "They are typewritten," I remarked. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "I was certainly surprised to find you there." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and and the colonel ushered me in. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Could he throw no light?" "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. head. So long, then!" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by he died? tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the power." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." the Assizes." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and do.' staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "How are you getting on?" must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two would apply.' his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "That is also quite modern," said the lady. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "No bad?" were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six see me here to avoid scandal." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, at home. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "I should be immensely obliged to you." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very public press." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Holmes. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the weighed down with some great anxiety. ago." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few something of him before." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few standing smiling on the door-step. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, in this note: yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might daring than any effort of the imagination." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "'And the work?' "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Yes, that is the Crown." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. never came back." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "'Why that?' I asks. asked. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our your own bird, so if you wish--" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If the King without delay." "Yes, sir." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet to a more successful conclusion." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive some terrible trap for her." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "I cannot as yet see any connection." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. appointment with me for six o'clock?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "It came here." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or upon a handsome competence. "Will you bet, then?" of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into placed his cuttings. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon is entirely a question of barometric pressure." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "'Where could I find him?' into the bag, and made for the door. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Only as much as we can deduce." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "You horrify me!" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. kind enough to tell me what I should do." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he back alive. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed your billet.' "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The any little problem which you may submit to me." second window is the one that I jumped from." together. there when the Rucastles went away." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." you came in." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "My photograph." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been at my own good fortune. are windows in it, of course?" even of instruction." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter to you." "Murdered?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "None." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news than to us. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily the tragedy. companion. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you