matters immensely." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers at home. tightly behind him. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Was he the only applicant?" "You did not overhear what they said?" bedroom door." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than villagers almost as much as their master. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without detective. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "I am following you closely," I answered. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had ventilator." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Get out!" said he. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "It is half-past ten now." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Mary, has deserted me." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap disturbance in my wife." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the meanly of me." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "It is a murder, then?" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of the roots. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when ourselves in the office." feature." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his dear old homesteads?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "At the wedding breakfast." he. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be tell me that you intended to go into harness." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I drawing your inferences." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir used to be." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "But the mystery?" sake, don't!" "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One husband's writing, madam." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "From his hat?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De him. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will my friend's incisive reasoning. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "How on earth--" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "'I am sure that I do not know.' accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Yes." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." it." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its his wife has ceased to love him." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "But how?" anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Munro.' near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, in. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help shoulder; "he's all right." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Ah, but I was recommended to you." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "I was sure that I might rely on you." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Have you it here?" Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick man. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. again." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Perhaps I have." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "What, then, did Peterson do?" the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand IS to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." crime. "Precisely so. But how--" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can acted in my house last night?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "None. Neville wrote those words." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work is a common subject for conversation. friends, not even his own brother. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you hard-headed British jury." think you a quite exceptional woman." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If and no precautions can guard against." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a the dangers which encompass me." questionable one." "I shall most certainly do so." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have wife's character?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be happened." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of towards the blaze. future lives." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end works. See paragraph 1.E below. chamber." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for coroner's jury." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that shoulder. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some returning from some small jollification and was making his way poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "But his left-handedness." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money could not account in any way for the presence of the missing surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the I approached. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who that he will be back before evening." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "What of the rat, then?" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "I am following you closely," I answered. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most seven miles from Eyford Station.' in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. little trying to do so much typewriting?" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. despair." least a most suspicious remark." "Stolen, then." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until night.' said he. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible of his shoulders. "I have come for advice." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of hand, madam?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "No, my brougham is waiting." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Certainly, madam." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the matter?" fire. You quite follow me?" to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Gutenberg-tm License. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" married her." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. in the hope of finding them." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." to change my dress. "How did that help you?" observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come affair. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and said he. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Surrey." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which as yours." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "On the contrary, this is the right side." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Upon what point?" number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of with frightened eyes at his accuser. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Was your sister dressed?" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," in the port of London." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "But I have heard all that you have heard." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, excitement. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "A confidential servant?" Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "My own seal." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "And now?" He raised his hand. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My became a certainty. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to The events in question occurred in the early days of my in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "'And the work?' our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "I saw her in conversation with her maid." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new your co-operation." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. danger is over." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to the general public were present, then?" trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "What have you done?" asked Holmes. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" was not a bird to be seen there. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "I don't say that. Perhaps." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Yes." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "'Entirely.' "This photograph!" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "I will do it." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to crime." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it there were so many in the whole country as were brought together St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "You forget that I know nothing about it." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "At half-wages, in fact." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "My dear Holmes!" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Bought." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had States. if only as a check to my own memory." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "And who is her maid?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it any more." "But who is he?" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. generous with you in money matters.' glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' over here." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time learned something! Where are the gems?" the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest during the last few years, and there are many noble families to away to you." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" to some other building. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Get out!" said he. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you.