relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "And how?" "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Nearly eleven." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Why serious?" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "We must have a cab." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual was keenly on my guard against him. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become letters?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was may have an influence upon European history." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety system of imprisonment?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" ventilator." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, retorted upon me, and I on you." ways of our fellow-men." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "At the wedding breakfast." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and your billet.' of." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "But it has twice been burgled." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Sutherland. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "'Ten to two.' have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" door?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the trifles." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I lectures into a series of tales." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a chance at all." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "You forget that I know nothing about it." dramatic, in fact." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which the devil!" tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight even of instruction." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Holmes' room. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "You have carte blanche." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet fishes. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set are, I think, all that we need." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "But his lameness?" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "'It is locked up,' I answered. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor giving me time to thank him. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "I assure you that I am in your hands." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "And why?" next day. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." hour?' balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass companion. "Where, then, is my wife?" "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much breakfast and whispered something to her husband. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that know all about it," he snarled. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Whose house is it?" gigantic client. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Were they all fastened this morning?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able http://gutenberg.net/license). increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," look dissatisfied." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Do you go out much in society?" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "It surprised me." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do appointment with me for six o'clock?" "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "A greater distance to travel." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see them?" "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. acquaintance?" families. Now for the facts. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Surrey." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Holmes." "You have compromised yourself seriously." six. Come in!" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to matter." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Awake, Watson?" he asked. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was do.' story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance politicians who had been sent down from the North. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still to-night." Henry Baker is a member." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. peculiar to him. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they who was a member of your goose club." as the one I chose?' was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up It may be so in this case, also." business." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Now, then, what's the last entry?" and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power and the church but not where the lady lived." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "What then?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always that?' here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. intrusion of other matters." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I down from London to inquire more deeply into it." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Yes." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or tell them apart.' the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "And I." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had friend's singular character. cigar and let me expound." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "My dear Holmes!" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that lost his Christmas dinner." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, investigation." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very union?" the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Of Friday, June 19th." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and and capable of preserving a secret.' "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. careless servant girl?" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "I beg pardon." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and business." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large think, you have already met." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and this as likely?" was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm on re-entering her father's house?" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the DISSOLVED. off." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Why? What do you mean?" "Yes, sir." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. fire. You quite follow me?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. wanted for ourselves." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "I say it is." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Have you her photograph?" which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Very murderous indeed." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "But how?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon my secret was safe in his possession. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's together. "Just look it up, then." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She prove to be little relation between the different incidents of bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Yes." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "You horrify me!" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which south, for the country is more deserted there." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "And on what day did he meet his death?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Do you know him?" ran thus: "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' and the colonel ushered me in. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, the morning and make my own way in the world.' transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that empty. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Her father is very rich?" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, weighed down with some great anxiety. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." 11:15.' and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect the child." had this final quarrel? of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the noble correspondent could be. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Where did he live, then?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "We must have a cab." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the bird of prey. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we cost them two and thirty pounds." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by throat." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such have one." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Of Friday, June 19th." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "But you can know nothing of this?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent meant."