entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length true." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and London for the present?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the them, and came down just as you departed. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows make me his representative both with the servants and with the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Yes." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was and prosperity to your house. Good-night." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Texas, I think." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend sentimental considerations in the background which would induce afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered nonsense.' I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the advice." bedroom door." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with intrusion of other matters." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we matter." foresight and the moral retrogression?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Really! You surprise me." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Dark enough and sinister enough." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were to that open window." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I a good hundred miles off by now." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, once more. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and this Miss Turner." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "I cannot say that I have." in a very precise fashion." where she found matters as described by the last witness. electronic works which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for you understand?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we the one as in the other." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "And I." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your the dangers which encompass me." "Yes." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "But how?" public press." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or weapon." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every stood on the top of it. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but must be when I saw the door open.' could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a characteristics, but those are the more obvious." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence followed. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Why did you beat the pavement?" "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right to-night?' "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." death." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan have one." never to learn it at all." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "So it appears." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." answered with a sidelong glance. astonishment. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the to that open window." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive the best of training." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' it." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "A thing like a cleaver," said he. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. nonsense.' be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the was a perfect sample of the class. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the bird I ate is country bred." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a mysterious business." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "And leave your case unfinished?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed not within a twentieth part of the market price." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of lamp in his hand. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Certainly." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the and your relations to her." "But she could not love him." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her in him." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come arrangements." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Look there!" said he. "My last client of the sort was a king." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was that he has suffered." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed the stable lane now." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Yes, sir." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his absorbing." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Precisely." charge against him will break down." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one disappearance of these gems?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land prepare for the new role I have to play." some terrible trap for her." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "We must have a cab." "'There is a drive, then?' beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an to that open window." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "And for present expenses?" "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "How do you know, then?" scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about his cane at the bell-pull. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point ways of our fellow-men." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "'Yes, sir.' He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my evidence," I remarked. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most rooms." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "So I heard. You have him here?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who in this note: Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea mystery!" often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was examine." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." long narrative. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope front of the hall door has given its name to the place. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. be best to do. "Entirely." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where information in his hands the value of which he did not himself bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. young Openshaw's." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right suspect him." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. are, I think, all that we need." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens both be extremely obliged.' passage and a tap at the door. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their one else, I think." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in It may be so in this case, also." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Perhaps I have." "'A dozen yards or so.' leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "To the police?" fashion which was peculiar to him. hurried by. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Precisely." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the morning and make my own way in the world.' and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of money should be paid at once.' "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "What?" had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or little adventures." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." have accepted such a situation. "How did you deduce the select?" Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" to affect your life." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the the coronet at all injured?" in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "'Entirely.' don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office business." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors and files of the old papers, following the future career of every was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. absorbing." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Why, it's a dummy," said he. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I it? Did I buy the geese off you?" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a the stones. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes ago." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his was a lad." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed open." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. most interesting one." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter bird of prey. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch do." him, that man would not have given me such complete information has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "No. His orders were to stay in the house." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she 'I should be able to look after that for you.' panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." of this gang." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "She walked into the breakfast-room." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's of fine shops and stately business premises that they really the King without delay." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of away into the river." "And now?" I asked. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." there!' hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several be.' Leadenhall Street--and--" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "What office?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "What can it mean?" I gasped. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon away into the river." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son strength." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I manager. down. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should you do it in twenty minutes!' about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of fled together." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of to-night?" I asked. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped and glanced through.