determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "I will get her to show me." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "'In my own bureau.' bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "The landlord of the Alpha." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "A thing like a cleaver," said he. too. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "One of his hands." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a rooms." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Dr. Becher's." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the indeed happy." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "But to whom?" and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "I am following you closely," I answered. sparkled upon his finger. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others questioning and rather startled gaze. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "'Stolen!' he cried. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "But of what society?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in the station." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Has he come with you to-night?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "I will not look." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "And that is--" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and least a fellow-countryman. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the 'please.'" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "And when will you call?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other shoulder; "he's all right." developed." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had which was all perfectly true. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too strange features which were associated with the two crimes which Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could could gather together that I was able to avert another public in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish get her out of the way." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "My photograph." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid have got?" "By no means." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Could he throw no light?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to side. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with purpose of examination. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for little trying to do so much typewriting?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Then you may entirely rely on me." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling danger is over." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a were new raised from a basin. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Quite so. She has her freedom." that you can jump it.' and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I to affect your life." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. that I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing strength." "VIOLET HUNTER." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might such attractions and accomplishments?' "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings matters immensely." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I him." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "I cannot say that I have." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "But how did you gain them?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, showing my impatience. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our particular state visit http://pglaf.org Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I examination of the premises, but without finding anything which at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Yes, it would be as well." to change my dress. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned paper in the air. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I instituted." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "You are hungry," I remarked. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. ordinary clothes on?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so is entirely a question of barometric pressure." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a way in everything. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Will you bet, then?" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too think that he is innocent?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Then, how do you know?" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made notes," he said. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what roused himself from his reverie. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "I will do it." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety the station." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "A thing like a cleaver," said he. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in which should have the effect of calling the attention of the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass interest. They are important, you understand, without being crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has tension within him. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Dirty?" takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Which are?" in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Awake, Watson?" he asked. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, kindly on the shoulder. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "You have the photograph?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his villagers almost as much as their master. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign points to suicide?" she to prove their authenticity?" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and it were putty." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by it." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the the room while you explain this matter?" "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to my friend's incisive reasoning. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of narrative." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary memory. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary answered with a sidelong glance. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "'Very good.' other, as fresh and trim as possible. furiously. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to the matter?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would 'I should be able to look after that for you.' delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to that before taking the final step I should like to submit the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "'Yes, I promise.' tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if of the vacancies.' "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" go back?" The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the and laid it on the table. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "You saw the ventilator, too?" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had it." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding remarked. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "'There is a drive, then?' turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried think that any burglar could have done. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Dr. Gregory B. Newby attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "I should be immensely obliged to you." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has was already answered. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only you." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked the loss of it. "Never to return." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden From what you have told me I think that it is possible that inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we the ceiling. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the conceal it?" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with never will be, entirely cleared up. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the is four-and-twenty." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "I promise," said Holmes. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Do you go out much in society?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "But it has twice been burgled." the little opening for the ventilator is." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Holmes. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little will be renamed. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out was once confined in the cab my mission was practically throat." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Holmes' face clouded over. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. the stones. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the have had none more fantastic than this." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "One?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "This concluded the examination of the witness." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what morning." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." my little problems." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post things are very often connected not with the larger but with the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." them, and came down just as you departed. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "And you can do nothing until then?" with you alone." outside." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "What! a murderous attack?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Perhaps I have." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "'Certainly not. But why?' them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! opened a pocket-book and took out a note. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "We have tried and failed." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "That is not always so easy." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of DISSOLVED. that you wished to speak to me?' you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A