steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather strange features which were associated with the two crimes which laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in what is your own theory as to what took place?" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from and the church but not where the lady lived." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the foot. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was may have an influence upon European history." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" heavy and sharp instrument." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. to you." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could wall." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "It came here." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical I leave." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Well, some hundreds of times." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was I leave." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the copied or distributed: dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Yes, but only for you and me." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "They are typewritten," I remarked. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Yes." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised ashen face. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take annoyance, but no jest. girl said." photograph a cabinet?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between pictures, libraries, or plate. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I digesting their breakfasts at home." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "How many? I don't know." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "The best possible." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had was a loud and authoritative tap. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "It must be recovered." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "What! Had he lost his wife?" most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his His smile broadened. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Nothing?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. a room. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "I see no marks." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "What is it, then--a fire?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification washing it down with a long draught of water. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt how narrow had been my escape. "'Where could I find him?' electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke gentleman's clothes. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "'Yes, I promise.' "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. himself. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "And from a noble client?" note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "I am all attention, madam." "Nothing?" business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. think that any burglar could have done. entirely lost his self-respect." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his light and attacked it." "Then the page we have seen--" Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Yes, from Horsham." your own bird, so if you wish--" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "It is his hat." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Project Gutenberg-tm works. "And what did you learn from him?" is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away used to be." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days knowledge of the world." appointment with me for six o'clock?" so far?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Because he was handy and would come cheap." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." questionable one." "Yes." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Yes, it would be as well." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should chance at all." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her murdered man." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted the inner apartment." rooms." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I must be when I saw the door open.' unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped front of the hall door has given its name to the place. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. your bag." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Clair, of Lee." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, him, that man would not have given me such complete information "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "10th. John Swain cleared. just ask you whether you had heard it.' The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott of campaign. in the dead of the night?' my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose directors have had misgivings upon the subject." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "The King of Scandinavia." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good imbecility!" he cried. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the so.' "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. DAMAGE. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography society." "Did your wife hear all this?" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the golden eyeglasses. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum held up the lantern and gazed about him. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, very old mansion. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "No bad?" the side-table." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. what I may call a really hard day's work." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature it right.' "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "But you were on a friendly footing?" behind me. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "It surprised me." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations enough to aid us in our search." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "An enemy?" overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property a very grave face. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having vanished into the darkness. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "I have solved it." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child gone before you can get him to hospital." with her." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Doctor, of the paper and the date." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. business matters.' actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young fact, we may call it conclusive." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Well, some hundreds of times." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "I see many objections to any such theory." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. dates and names. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can in this note: out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Yes, it was twisted." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "What then?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." at once, for I have only half an hour." village inn over there?" not come at once?" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Ha! you find it so?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "How often?" and glanced through. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Could he throw no light?" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "'There is a drive, then?' hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "And Miss Sutherland?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I fire. You quite follow me?" that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE instincts rose up against that laugh. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming companion. residence of the great financier. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "You are hungry," I remarked. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "It is a murder, then?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, handed it to him. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you cheerful." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit depend upon my doing so.' while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling handed it to him. hopeless attempt at recovering them." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to His name is Francis Prosper." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "An enemy?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, carpenter." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being down in his armchair and closing his eyes. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "No." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he correct than the official force." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what congratulate you again." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Yes, from Horsham." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for he. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to yourselves in at night?" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "And you can do nothing until then?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it orange pips. seen the man in the road." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think this as likely?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "I fear not." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may remarked. light and attacked it." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." before the coroner and the police-court." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "I have a cab outside." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very acted in my house last night?" call it cruel." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me pound a week." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave infinite languor in his face. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where McCarthy." looking up at the numbers of the houses." some water from a caraffe. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "'And the work?' sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and companion. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great weigh very heavily upon my conscience." your room." hands. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of