business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his the address that was given us in the advertisement. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a and the church but not where the lady lived." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Well?" brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Not yet." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide are windows in it, of course?" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue delirious. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "You are certainly joking, Holmes." details." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a the bed, and you in that chair." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my someone who had been in Australia." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the have accepted such a situation. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. 'please.'" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who second window is the one that I jumped from." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the see a sister of mine apply for." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "No legal papers or certificates?" "This concluded the examination of the witness." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he troubles have been weighing upon his mind. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from three fields round his house, and there he would take his known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may without success. At last the little money which I had saved began which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure already been minutely examined." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "What! You do not mean bodies?" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin and the whole place is in a blaze." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in since then to throw any light upon what became of him." during which he might have communicated with his friend the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining when you have done it." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Mrs. Toller serenely. "What can you not understand?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a both be extremely obliged.' the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Not in a good cause." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the entirely devoid of interest." the very morning of the wedding." make me his representative both with the servants and with the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Was she in good spirits?" me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Is he quiet?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for speckled band?" hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "And I to find an enemy." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly envelope. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "How often?" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Deserted you?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads forecastle of an emigrant ship. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming tell me that you intended to go into harness." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." the coronet at all injured?" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I enter Dr. Roylott's room." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which from you?" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she 1.E.9. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door used to be." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must the warnings." "It is very kind of you." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "And who is her maid?" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Yes." knowledge of the world." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss morning." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "It is solved." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing already referred to. companion imperturbably. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. I am not easy in my mind about them." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Not in the least." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite obstinate." leave you to your papers for a little." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been orange pips. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never DAMAGE. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a ordinary clothes on?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" tail." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. more solid." me." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was his forehead." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true danger is over." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "You heard nothing yourself last night?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a interests were the same as his." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang maiden herself was most instructive." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." upon the white wrist. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "It must be recovered." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "But she will refuse." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "I cannot say that I have." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "I am armed." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and suggested at once that there must be a communication between the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "One horse?" interjected Holmes. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Yes, certainly." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable answered with a sidelong glance. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you friend's singular character. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." to change my dress. awkward doing business with an alias." "But how?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, conceal it?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a than to us. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly down in his armchair and closing his eyes. London for the present?" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Not in the least." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the outside. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Of what day?" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have as he folded up the epistle. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "That is not always so easy." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Will you go?" "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know 'please.'" and your relations to her." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. you." "Only as much as we can deduce." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "And did you observe any change in her then?" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him nights." place no limit on the sum I may draw." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two girl said." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Dr. Becher's." be best to do. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "I cannot think." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "One of the highest in England." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "I would give my fortune to have them back." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet take the flies, but not before." villagers almost as much as their master. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short she to prove their authenticity?" scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me matter." Street. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "If I can be of use." presume?" nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "No." DISSOLVED. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Yes, he did." "What! Had he lost his wife?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands swore that no one else had been in the front room during the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's I am not easy in my mind about them." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against public press." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric new acquaintance to Baker Street. "And who is her maid?" "The Cedars?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to your most interesting statement." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The acquaintance?" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always Doctor, of the paper and the date." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "We have tried and failed." "Well, but China?" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "How did you deduce the select?" them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, fattened it expressly for you.' "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "How are you getting on?" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "But what is it you wish?" would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Then I can wait in the next room." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "One horse?" interjected Holmes. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could