while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it used to be." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those copied or distributed: "What can you not understand?" he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some way: happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "The rest you will leave in our hands." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the that I may have something better before very many minutes are foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, fattened it expressly for you.' value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Tired-looking or fresh?" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were stepfather?" where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy detective. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Yesterday." sofa. This way, please!" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and next day. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "An accident, I presume?" "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, gone. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "I guessed as much." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a weapon." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and in the port of London." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated outside. is four-and-twenty." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her papers." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of if only as a check to my own memory." photograph a cabinet?" "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public delirious. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our have an American origin." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "And leave your case unfinished?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, of the vacancies.' the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "I guessed as much." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the papers must be those that are destroyed.' conversation I have gathered that they have been married about begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then lost nothing by them." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "'Never.' lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "I am all attention, madam." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was entirely devoid of interest." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "No good news?" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." have not had my rubber." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the rat could hardly pass through." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me desk. "Yes, that is the Crown." to me. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. assist you in forming an opinion." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite envelope. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story not come at once?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "So I have heard." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "No, thank goodness, she did not." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "No." good-night and bustled off upon her way. woman." "'There is a drive, then?' for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Oh, yes, easily." "And how did he make his money?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no of campaign. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign when your master had gone out." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Then I do not see the point." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "No, I had a dozen." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this most interesting one." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "The Coroner: What do you mean? several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Were they all fastened this morning?" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was sooner or later she must fall a victim. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very had picked up in the wood. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the already been minutely examined." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at what is your own theory as to what took place?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "'What, the red-headed man?' Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "My Mary? Impossible!" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over question you as to those details which seem to me to be most out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. detained." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! morning." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "A thing like a cleaver," said he. digesting their breakfasts at home." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest more terrible than the truth. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "That is also quite modern," said the lady. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted fishes. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer events, Mr. Windibank!" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in disappearance of the bride.'" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "I think it very unlikely." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "He might." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness signal between you and your father? spark where all is dark to me." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever eavesdroppers?' walking." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "She walked into the breakfast-room." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "I am about to be married." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "In what way?" asked Holmes. sofa. This way, please!" "Have you it here?" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is be there in time for your coming." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is your most interesting statement." the inner apartment." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "The vanishing of the lady." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him outbreak?" by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked ill-usage at the hands of fortune. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which McCarthy." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative the very morning of the wedding." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "In answer to an advertisement." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "So I heard. You have him here?" to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture tassel actually lying upon the pillow. burst out into a roar of laughter. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Very truly yours, of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up name is different." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "I would pay ten." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Pope's Court. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Was she in good spirits?" "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and narrative." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "'Quite sure, dad.' took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the ran thus: about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "We must sit without light. He would see it through the the loss of it. astonishment. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "'And the work?' the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running way: something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Won't it ring?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Heh?' clang of the bell. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out I leave." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The up this clue while it is still hot." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked her also." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Then he might have called to you?" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been shoulder. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." imbecility!" he cried. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my matters immensely." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime rat could hardly pass through." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "'Very good.' Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the inquest, and which are worth considering." night.' said he. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "I cannot imagine." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me been able to understand it, in a very few words. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "What then?" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." unclasping of his long thin hands. new duties?' passage and a tap at the door. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction dramatic, in fact." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "But she could not love him." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you absorbing." "'Yes, it was gone.' walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "On the contrary, this is the right side." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing tapping his fingers upon the table. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "His face fell immediately. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered situation." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to will find little credit to be gained out of this case." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "You have compromised yourself seriously." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Yes, it was twisted." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated forbidden door. sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Again Holmes raved in the air. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a