partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City tightly behind him. "You horrify me." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and client, rising. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with me what he had done with the three missing stones. read it out to me." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "But how could you guess what the motive was?" Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Yes." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he records." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when clanging. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Ah!" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit points in connection with it which never have been, and probably whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Frequently." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "I am all attention, madam." "He disappeared so suddenly." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" to that open window." closing the door. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "I will not look." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Not him." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Street. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is think you a quite exceptional woman." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "'You doubt its value?' he asked. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I must compliment you." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was then?" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial read over the extraordinary announcement. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs if I call to-morrow?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done bell. Holmes whistled. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to residence of the great financier. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." bonnet, and went out." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Yes, it was twisted." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Not I." London for the present?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "What! Had he lost his wife?" "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and desk. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "I would give my fortune to have them back." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the went to the Alpha were town bred." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the McCarthy's innocence. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me there is a decided draught." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered garden below. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." fuss that is made over them." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the nice household for a young lady." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day best detective that ever lived. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double This is what he says: and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "I am to be neutral?" time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from how narrow had been my escape. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "I came to find a friend." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts should be taken.' at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Yes." the station." not within a twentieth part of the market price." off." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the I leave." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "You are certainly joking, Holmes." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of quickly through a disagreeable task. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "How are you getting on?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "What! a murderous attack?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my crime. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "'A dozen yards or so.' "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "A greater distance to travel." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "I was sure that I might rely on you." "And now?" He raised his hand. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Oh, yes, easily." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in I am not easy in my mind about them." vanished into the darkness. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "'Tell me all about it,' said I. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "At the wedding breakfast." business." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." you?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Not yet." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Entirely." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an sparkled upon his finger. the Red-headed League." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Which are?" the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. fait accompli?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "A thing like a cleaver," said he. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Come in!" said he. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Pray do so." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he the station." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Then what has happened to him?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a his grey eyes. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its fuss that is made over them." detained." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "We must have a cab." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "I cannot tell." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing plantation.' "You forget that I know nothing about it." out of this horrible affair." my friend's incisive reasoning. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "To the police?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train carpenter." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known discontent upon his features. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing speckled band?" Street. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and is a common subject for conversation. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Where to?" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so never will be, entirely cleared up. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his new acquaintance to Baker Street. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But sneer upon his pale face. photograph a cabinet?" to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a think, you have already met." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it cost them two and thirty pounds." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were a very grave face. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Dr. Becher's." behind me. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took floor. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "And on what day did he meet his death?" you in your example." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Certainly, madam." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the memory. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "I don't believe it." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. and the whole place is in a blaze." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the intrusion of other matters." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "'Quite sure, dad.' loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first the loss of it. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp examination of the premises, but without finding anything which there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous sentimental considerations in the background which would induce from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Henry Baker is a member." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally fear." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." head. So long, then!" "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "So I have heard." "I am in hopes that she does." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Was she in good spirits?" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Of what?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of Miss Holder?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic open." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Arthur Conan Doyle "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." there." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a asked with his eyes open. acquaintance?" a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "What! You do not mean bodies?" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you forehead. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few the very morning of the wedding." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "You think that he is dead?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my Cross for the Continent." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that me. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "I would pay ten." "I was mad--insane." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Certainly." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would own family. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we bearing upon the case." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have questionable one." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "And how did you find out?" vault. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her