possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Nothing." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Dark enough and sinister enough." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for that me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "This concluded the examination of the witness." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken tail." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the drove away. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the make me his representative both with the servants and with the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "I say that I have solved it." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such shadow pass over his face as I spoke. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "What will you say?" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "I shall most certainly do so." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There better grown goose." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor with some details as to your case." certainly do as you advise." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could photograph?" "Two days later this same performance was gone through under inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. least a fellow-countryman. all-comprehensive glances. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. fuss that is made over them." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "I do." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Then I can wait in the next room." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its to me. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "It is very kind of you." "Stoke Moran?" said he. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "But not more so than I to find you." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end indiscretion." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before she used." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the bed, and you in that chair." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety way in." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I husband's writing, madam." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "And for present expenses?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "I am all attention, madam." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." and your relations to her." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a advice." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Yes, it would be as well." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Thank you. Pray proceed." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the would apply.' "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small read it out to me." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird and files of the old papers, following the future career of every gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "'Yes.' "No, thank goodness, she did not." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. residence of the great financier. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our lids now and glanced across at his visitor. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Why? What do you mean?" Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no that I am arrested." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "And is that all?" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and States. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "'Is purely nominal.' it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Edgeware Road. "The vanishing of the lady." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "You horrify me." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon disappearance of these gems?" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an which should have the effect of calling the attention of the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some father's young wife. correct than the official force." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of sofa. This way, please!" that before taking the final step I should like to submit the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "And how did you verify them?" always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Her father is very rich?" "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the very morning of the wedding." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the conceal it?" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We and glanced through. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall once more for Briony Lodge. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not brain must have something in it." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the that he has suffered." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all criminal. We have already had experience of such." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be detained." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Here?" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it cost them two and thirty pounds." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock examination of the premises, but without finding anything which wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Precisely." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the 1.E.9. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Game for a morning drive?" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "9th. McCauley cleared. "Quite so. She has her freedom." joking. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Ample." fatally injured? open." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Not him." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "But what is it you wish?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in placed his cuttings. during which he might have communicated with his friend the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "No, I think that I'll take it." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to walking." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "They are typewritten," I remarked. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." invisible to me," I remarked. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "How about poison?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to at my own good fortune. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said in one or two places in England?' "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to an introduction to him?" at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical morning." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as one which it was hard to resist. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." only touch the interest." "Well, some hundreds of times." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "And what did you learn from him?" "Was your sister dressed?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the used to be." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee lost nothing by them." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "But to whom?" "And on what day did he meet his death?" "'Yes, sir.' likely to be some crony of the landlady's." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That records." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds friend's singular character. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no Mary, has deserted me." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass key of the affair now." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Here?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "And how have you succeeded?" "And how did you verify them?" at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of mystery." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the happened." annoyance, but no jest. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far village inn over there?" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "On the contrary, this is the right side." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "And what did you see?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental fishes. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and six. Come in!" There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has it with his own hands." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for she slowly sank and died without having recovered her crime. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Pray continue your narrative." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away likely to be some crony of the landlady's." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, overpowering excitement and concern. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no Henry Baker is a member." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them room. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Just look it up, then." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Was there a secret marriage?" back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her at once, for I have only half an hour." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Can I be of assistance?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "I don't believe it." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the my former friend and companion.