very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, presume?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough nothing of it?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do at my own good fortune. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" that?' were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any you give your casting vote to?" which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended appeared upon the scene." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, envelope. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' national property. I was determined that the law should have its will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very upon an income of about 60 pounds." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "That's no good." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg prepare for the new role I have to play." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is mysterious business." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately arms and began to sob in a high treble key. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very guilty one." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a of this gang." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Who was the criminal, then?" "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "That is possible." "She will not sell." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a problems help me to do so." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "But what is it you wish?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet himself to tell his story. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little should be so warm over such a trifle." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had be sorry for having acted so harshly." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "What are they?" father's place of business?" "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her read it out to me." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Holmes, the busybody!" outsides of the windows. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. other, as fresh and trim as possible. the stones. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "At the wedding breakfast." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Have you it here?" "Thank you. And your address?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Perhaps we may make them less so." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Holmes rather sternly. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "He might." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Yes." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "He said too much." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as man. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, sound at heart." at once, for I have only half an hour." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. pierced for earrings?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man papers." "And Irene Adler?" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the that you saw all that I did." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "You horrify me!" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "It certainly sounds feasible." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each had no one to advise her at such a crisis." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At mystery!" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of possible that we could bring him back to her? generous with you in money matters.' "Two days later this same performance was gone through under and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "And why in hopes?" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "And what did you learn from him?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "This photograph!" him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will manager. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove eavesdroppers?' I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and in this note: He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in Mrs. Toller serenely. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's Mrs. Toller serenely. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Tired-looking or fresh?" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "What have you done?" asked Holmes. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up fuss that is made over them." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the interest. They are important, you understand, without being at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Game for a morning drive?" maiden herself was most instructive." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," to miss it." "But how?" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if grasp, he hurried from the room. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "One?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and death." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Do you know him?" reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less for securing the situation." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "By no means." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of himself in a perplexing position. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. suspect him." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Why, what do you mean?" among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "He is still with you, I presume?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings in my life." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "I have a cab outside." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Yes, that is the Crown." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all leaning back in his chair. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Not I." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The assist you in forming an opinion." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again where she found matters as described by the last witness. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and be there in time for your coming." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three question you as to those details which seem to me to be most the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "By no means." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "And the cigar-holder?" as the one I chose?' hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I said he. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had paper in the air. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very himself to tell his story. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. think you a quite exceptional woman." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Come in!" said he. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "My stepfather's business papers." "The vanishing of the lady." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Oh, the cause is excellent!" smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to pound a week." "But how will you look?" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. of campaign. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the the warnings." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "You think so, too?" you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "How long did she speak to this Alice?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and London for the present?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "And how did you verify them?" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey figure." "She will not sell." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. not come at once?" done what I asked you, Jones?" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a head. So long, then!" "Quite so." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this was a loud and authoritative tap. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious could gather together that I was able to avert another public writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." evidence," I remarked. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom he. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this noting anything else of interest. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so perplexity from it to my illustrious client. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "And how did you verify them?" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "You are all wrong." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He outbreak?" events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "That is it on the dressing-table." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the bottom.' Again Holmes raved in the air. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Eyford." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, he. like that before?" "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the sufficient punishment." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I absorbing." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Then I shall certainly come." "To the police?" south, for the country is more deserted there." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "My dear Holmes!" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, constraint." "Upon what point?" breakfast?" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick out." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop read it out to me." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of he died? posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "'In my own bureau.' very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "What! Had he lost his wife?" which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you