the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from three fields round his house, and there he would take his "What will you say?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has undoubtedly my uncle's." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend look dissatisfied." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "How often?" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Countess of Morcar's?" not as remarkable as your advertisement." thought that she would have been so carried away." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We your only hope of safety." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Get out!" said he. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." said he at last. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole said Mr. Holder. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose DAMAGE. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." have accepted such a situation. guilty parties." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on not within a twentieth part of the market price." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. walking." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." where she found matters as described by the last witness. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "'Oh, no.' which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "The doctor?" my secret was safe in his possession. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the daring than any effort of the imagination." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "By train from Waterloo." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at persecution?" "But your client--" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any in a very precise fashion." within hail.' woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you will not take me long to tell. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "What do you make of that, Watson?" the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "'What do you call purely nominal?' office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then bird I ate is country bred." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "What shall I do?" That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which at home. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still some water from a caraffe. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving cup of tea. fled together." that I am arrested." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's him. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "We were both in the photograph." looking up at the numbers of the houses." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which figure." his knees, staring into the fire. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to of the one which your family is now devouring." the so-precious time, but come!' he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do voice, changing her seat as requested. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been I approached. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was some water from a caraffe. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "So it appears." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Serpentine Avenue. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Indeed! Whose, then?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over be best to do. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "I promise," said Holmes. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his morning." it." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Yes." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "What have you done?" asked Holmes. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." will be renamed. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, of the one which your family is now devouring." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town already been minutely examined." "When did it break out?" statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, address. that I can to serve you." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is Eyford at 11:15.' before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons seen the man in the road." and capable of preserving a secret.' "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "And when will you call?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Then, as to money?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to served to weaken the effect. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain room. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Well, but China?" "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more information in his hands the value of which he did not himself examination of the premises, but without finding anything which the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "10th. John Swain cleared. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "That is possible." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "And why?" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is quite distinctive." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully gives a meaning to it." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay experiences." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet outside." himself. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the the stable lane now." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said him nearly every evening." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Eh? What was that?" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "My dear Holmes!" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I vanished into the darkness. investigation." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy himself to tell his story. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "There are none." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "But I have heard all that you have heard." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting words came to my lips. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over said he at last. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge morning." leave you to your papers for a little." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some know all about it," he snarled. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and look dissatisfied." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His you want, then?' "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Yes." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up London for the present?" has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did went to the Alpha were town bred." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is crackling voice. is so. I know all about McCarthy." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, in his hands." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Here?" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It in my life." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Leave Paddington by the 11:15." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. be best to do. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes that I may have something better before very many minutes are He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it house for five minutes.' from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and his wife has ceased to love him." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "I shall be delighted." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Deserted you?" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Munro.' traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the good for you to do.' "And how in the world did you find them?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Imitated." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. comes from the middle window." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to his forehead." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is shoulder; "he's all right." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Nothing?" "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "None. Neville wrote those words." are windows in it, of course?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. about. some water from a caraffe. "Come in!" said Holmes. "You are hungry," I remarked. are windows in it, of course?" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Yes." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and started for the Temple to see my husband. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I ashen face. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I it." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. papers." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. up this clue while it is still hot." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful fluttered off among the others. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at trifles." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of whole matter to your consideration." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned