"But you can know nothing of this?" "Pray do so." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "And how did you find out?" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did The note was undated, and without either signature or address. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. to arrive at through this?" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "'Never,' said I. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how without success. At last the little money which I had saved began at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Then I shall certainly come." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his sound at heart." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the King without delay." "Then you may be so with me." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a Serpentine Avenue. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the is four-and-twenty." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some not come at once?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Nor running a chance of arrest?" arrangements." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which of his shoulders. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "I don't say that. Perhaps." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "It is possible." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry you for a few hours?" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Watson," he said cordially. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" time." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "My stepfather's business papers." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "'Most admirably.' stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, ashen face. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon joking. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake business?" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Holmes' face clouded over. "I will do it." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the to-night?' "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Yes?" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "9th. McCauley cleared. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was may have an influence upon European history." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "About a month then." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, from the brougham. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Street. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' where she found matters as described by the last witness. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs man. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it to have been novel and of interest." constraint." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few occupations.' "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "It was a confession," I ejaculated. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and that threaten you." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Pope's Court, Fleet Street." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Then the page we have seen--" are, and they are waiting for us." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Then, as to money?" you for a few hours?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this subject to the trademark license, especially commercial scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to you give your casting vote to?" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "No, I had a dozen." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' becomes even more simple." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked maid will bring up your coffee." gbnewby@pglaf.org will find little credit to be gained out of this case." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a signal between you and your father? Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us business." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera said I. "It's nothing of the kind." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John other lovers by making love himself." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." any." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "You don't mind breaking the law?" compunction about shooting them down." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Has he come with you to-night?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves tell me that you intended to go into harness." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a was not a bird to be seen there. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project nonsense.' me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Did you observe the colour?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO foresight and the moral retrogression?" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with stalked out of the room. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "You horrify me." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the already referred to. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Frequently." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." questioning and rather startled gaze. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" cigars in their mouths. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, and all of them with the keenest interest. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but undoubtedly my uncle's." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "What! a murderous attack?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when sound at heart." in darkness. the window, rose as we entered. "That you are never beaten." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while be best to do. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Nothing." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, it. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Have you it here?" His name is Francis Prosper." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "But you were on a friendly footing?" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "The knees of his trousers." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man Henry Baker is a member." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Could he throw no light?" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of McCarthy's innocence. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly his grey eyes. "Yes." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "You have compromised yourself seriously." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Yes." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom that I can to serve you." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Entirely." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found noting anything else of interest. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "And when will you call?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of them present such singular features as the strange train of Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to Clair, of Lee." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "What shall I do?" a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "I cannot think." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept towards the blaze. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the III. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found my former friend and companion. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards roused himself from his reverie. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "No, I am descending." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every helping a boy to put up the shutters. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the window when the police appeared." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "That's no good." "No sign of it?" This is what he says: 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the do.' her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very problems help me to do so." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the south-west, I see." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "She will not sell." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Then how many are there?" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "An accident, I presume?" the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, next day. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "By no means." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Here?" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep business at Coburg Square is serious." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "My private note-paper." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Not yet." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Eyford." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "What! Had he lost his wife?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "I see no marks." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of thirty. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Why? What do you mean?" held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked