horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in the station." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Nothing?" Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey key turn in the lock." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed 'please.'" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon comes from the middle window." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "When did it break out?" black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." Surrey." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Was the window open?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "But what will you do?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Precisely." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is not, dad?" she asked. him nearly every evening." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. ago." "Well." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "It is very kind of you." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "But how will you look?" elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try the little opening for the ventilator is." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Do you receive much company?" he asked. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged the south-west, I see." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked suspect him." society." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My bird of prey. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the business came to an end." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made likely to be some crony of the landlady's." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, strong and stiff." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to bird I ate is country bred." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "How do you know, then?" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little been shamefully used." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, the salesman. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that the bed, and you in that chair." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert child?' believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to It may be so in this case, also." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your trifles." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was this remarkable episode. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless in my life." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with have got?" ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Yes, at the mines." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' third from London." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "It must be recovered." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Witness: Nothing definite. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "That was it, sir." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the again on its way. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Quite so. She has her freedom." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "But the mystery?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "'Is purely nominal.' me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "What then?" approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen said he. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Holmes' thin, eager face. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her have not had my rubber." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight had this final quarrel? me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Watson," he said cordially. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "None." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "I promise," said Holmes. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, spare." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, unkempt, staring out at me. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Where is it, then?" to arrive at through this?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events tell them apart.' and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" awaited us upon the table. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular II. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest possible that we could bring him back to her? freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. there!' "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "You will not go there first?" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back memory. "That is easily got." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he might help us?" horse could go." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want eat it." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. to-night." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "It is solved." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if chance." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "No. What a strange idea!" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "It is possible." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. the Red-headed League." front of me. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Dr. Gregory B. Newby "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. into the room. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is public press." "That is it on the dressing-table." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "But of what society?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." pound a week." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which better grown goose." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is chemical work which was so dear to him. business in the City. She little knew what. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we again before evening." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "I am all attention, madam." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of several quiet little villages up there." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about been shamefully used." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Did you observe the colour?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Can I be of assistance?" their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Not him." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "What of the rat, then?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. him to go away.' for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "You will not go there first?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of I am not easy in my mind about them." chamber." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we reach." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' himself. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered upon the shelf for the interim." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Yes, that is the Crown." made him keep the appointment." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and that threaten you." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to that I can to serve you." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from to miss it." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I into the bag, and made for the door. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "I cannot imagine." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Yes." "And your mother is alive?" impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty persecution?" plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "And Miss Sutherland?" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and is acting for the best. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "My last client of the sort was a king." look dissatisfied." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. a suggestive one." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" answered with a sidelong glance. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook advice." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I said I. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Only as much as we can deduce." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "A confidential servant?" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "But I have heard all that you have heard." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "What! You do not mean bodies?" Again Holmes raved in the air. "Yes, but only for you and me." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are your own bird, so if you wish--" red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age done what I asked you, Jones?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "What can you not understand?" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "And Miss Sutherland?" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he posted to-day." was lame." "Proceed, then." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "In San Francisco, a year ago."