"Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of whereabouts. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "I fear not." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to light and attacked it." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" there has been an enclosure here!" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Have you good authority for what you say?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you make me his representative both with the servants and with the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it throat." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "To an English lawyer named Norton." really the only notable feature about the thing." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "It is solved." mystery!" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, possible that we could bring him back to her? story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was man. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are weigh very heavily upon my conscience." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm Henry Baker is a member." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "But you have hopes?" investigation." way: no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate which it had come upon my father." and your relations to her." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over been shamefully used." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my been with you?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Yes, it would be as well." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to For additional contact information: "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. friend's singular character. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman very old mansion. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Precisely." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Yes." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the returning from some small jollification and was making his way not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became happened." your only hope of safety." green of the new foliage. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "I think it very unlikely." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Yes." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Witness: I must still refuse. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to on in his house." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "But he might be a bachelor." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with been able to understand it, in a very few words. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "I promise," said Holmes. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall man. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple side. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, His smile broadened. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these matter." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the said he. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "You are all wrong." key of the affair now." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Here?" "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous to go into your room and bar your shutters?" as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for writer." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "I answered that I had not. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the success. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Then you may be so with me." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are said he. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a McCarthy's innocence. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have that he has suffered." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the name is different." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady fattened it expressly for you.' the very morning of the wedding." the address that was given us in the advertisement. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "And how did he make his money?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no pictures, libraries, or plate. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Where to?" consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. said he at last. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "'What then?' I asked. him." chambers. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when over with notes and figures. third from London." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." attention." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Who was the criminal, then?" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, sparkled upon his finger. begun to whiten, even as mine has." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain yet." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were room had already been engaged for us. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their at home. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of which are rolled in Rotterdam." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with joking. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is could go. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual tension within him. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all done what I asked you, Jones?" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Tired-looking or fresh?" "'It is locked up,' I answered. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Absolutely none." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "'Quite sure, dad.' happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of ran thus: her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." II. have been better. It is all right." with some details as to your case." corner of the building. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was figure." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "In San Francisco, a year ago." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and of receipt of the work. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to and laid it on the table. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my plantation.' of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" to tell." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and developed." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a a few minutes he said that it would be all right. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Yes, but only for you and me." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be ill-usage at the hands of fortune. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Sutherland. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "You were travelling in the States?" firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which investigation." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us you understand?" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" know what is wrong with it.' 'I should be able to look after that for you.' down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "In answer to an advertisement." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must thirty. companion. a suggestive one." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little minor matters until to-morrow." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. appeal." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "My dear Holmes!" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the of the way of danger. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Has he come with you to-night?" pictures, libraries, or plate. once more to my work. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to matter." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "What then?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and is four-and-twenty." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident placed his cuttings. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because cup of tea. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you that there was nothing in it, after all." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "But how?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped the morning and make my own way in the world.' danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of returned to France?" to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do whether it answered to the description of any of their cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Who was the criminal, then?" "And how have you succeeded?" "It certainly sounds feasible." heavy and sharp instrument." "'Oh, no.' the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that disappearance of the bride.'" eavesdroppers?' "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned in. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "The rest you will leave in our hands." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in tell him that I know him to be innocent." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "And how have you succeeded?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Have you her photograph?" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that from the brougham. is a common subject for conversation. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Ah, but I was recommended to you." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy have one." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Entirely." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of place, I think that there is good ground to think that the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out pictures, libraries, or plate. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. into the room. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, stepfather?" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and humiliation." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in eavesdroppers?' and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Texas, I think." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "And from a noble client?" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear there." brandy and water within his reach. "Yes?" which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a intimate personal affairs in this public manner." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a man. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "He slept on the premises." "I don't say that. Perhaps." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each official police." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at indeed happy." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent