marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, whole matter to your consideration." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "That sounds a little paradoxical." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "And how in the world did you find them?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father four million human beings all jostling each other within the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might Heh?' usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed behind me. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and with some details as to your case." disappearance of the bride.'" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman business." "You don't mind breaking the law?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at delighted to hear it," he said. "Frequently." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." http://gutenberg.net/license). "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am compunction about shooting them down." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Look there!" said he. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and burst into a hearty fit of laughter. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put once more to my work. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole at a side door. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "What! a murderous attack?" morning." "That's no good." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the and glanced through. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made and it need not interfere very much with one's other contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said than to us. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one which it had come upon my father." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." the loss of it. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On arrangements." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we matters immensely." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had so.' though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and things are very often connected not with the larger but with the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three stepfather?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, you." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one never came back." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly weary and pale-looking. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Certainly." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Yes. He waved his hands." "What?" "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Nothing." which are rolled in Rotterdam." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were any little problem which you may submit to me." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "But I have heard all that you have heard." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it drove away. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; indiscretion." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people that, and I came down." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but photograph?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Will you go?" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "'Where to?' Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of the coronet in his hands?" child?' of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "And why in hopes?" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a six. Come in!" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to was lame." away into the river." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give done what I asked you, Jones?" maiden herself was most instructive." "Yes?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Eh? What was that?" the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "You don't mind breaking the law?" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "I have my revolver," said I. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless persecution?" do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. The King stared at him in amazement. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." come either from the window or the door. My attention was which we had just quitted. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and stood on the top of it. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might power." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and lips." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." with frightened eyes at his accuser. "'Certainly not. But why?' say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with crackling voice. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." said he. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general will be renamed. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The that there was nothing in it, after all." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Where, then, is my wife?" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "No sign of it?" abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "BALLARAT." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "He slept on the premises." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet prepare for the new role I have to play." companion. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. appeared upon the scene." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for the room while you explain this matter?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is the nursery. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "None. Neville wrote those words." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple photograph?" "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which man. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. unprecedented a position." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, the inner apartment." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I or in danger--" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking was lame." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Come in!" said he. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public His name is Francis Prosper." have not had my rubber." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange fait accompli?" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should think that any burglar could have done. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless tear off another piece?' constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Breckinridge is his name." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Get out!" said he. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what figure." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it residence of the great financier. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "And now?" He raised his hand. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' back alive. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen things are very often connected not with the larger but with the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Were they all fastened this morning?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing during that time.' arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of ran thus: and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "What! Had he lost his wife?" the bed, and you in that chair." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. of it with the greatest attention. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that that you can jump it.' we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. you?' "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in chemical work which was so dear to him. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present the tragedy. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "But his lameness?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real investigation." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the Heh?' daring than any effort of the imagination." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Then you may entirely rely on me." works. See paragraph 1.E below. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously his face which made him a very different person to the round, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be this poor creature." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear copied or distributed: "That is not always so easy." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It call for it in person on Monday morning.' her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "It is solved." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of felt?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "'And what salary do you ask?' "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a train from Paddington which would bring you there at about kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are The telegram which we eventually received came late one night fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Have you good authority for what you say?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "How did he come?" 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "I cannot say that I have." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "You saw the ventilator, too?" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." it." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the and the church but not where the lady lived." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open man. I know him from the photograph." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "VIOLET HUNTER." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "I think that it is very probable." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag long narrative. should be taken.' "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "'Quite sure, dad.' feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place this poor creature." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then 1.F. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have about. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the it with his own hands." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "I will do it." but preventing her from injuring another. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "I am about to be married." newspaper selections." excitement. dates and names. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: man. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "And the murderer?" considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son sofa. This way, please!" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton little trying to do so much typewriting?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by way: than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "I beg pardon." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she his grey eyes. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced amused." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name brain must have something in it." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then,