conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "You don't mind breaking the law?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "And you can do nothing until then?" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. once more. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical wall." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood of the way of danger. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as upon a handsome competence. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I vault. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with might have a private word with us. her also." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose window when the police appeared." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could from the brougham. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn that, and I came down." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Yes." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America presume?" go from here to the Strand." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "And Miss Sutherland?" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied not fit the lock." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Has he come with you to-night?" this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Certainly." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Which surely he restored to their owner?" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, gentleman's clothes. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an were new raised from a basin. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place outside. one's self under obligations.' circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "'Yes, sir.' Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in business?" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "He disappeared so suddenly." lamp. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's been." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which married her." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "What then?" the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my was shining brightly. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be business at Coburg Square is serious." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel purpose equally well?" coat-tails." You want to know what became of those geese?" across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a States. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not and the church but not where the lady lived." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at money should be paid at once.' "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And to arrive at through this?" She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off tied." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed started for the Temple to see my husband. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "At the wedding breakfast." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "He is still with you, I presume?" it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and weapon." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you points to suicide?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at dear old homesteads?" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "How do you know, then?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence fish-monger and a tide-waiter." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "'Yes, it was gone.' of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." did not hear it also.' my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not I held the little printed slip to the light. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "You are hungry," I remarked. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, III. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." Sholtos." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Foundation "It looks newer than the other things?" was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature tear off another piece?' were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." indeed happy." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs both be extremely obliged.' "It is solved." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an meant it for the best. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had money should be paid at once.' opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "What can it mean?" I gasped. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Ample." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "I was afraid that you were engaged." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we http://www.gutenberg.net "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that Street. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Your sister is dead, then?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, matter over." digesting their breakfasts at home." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of with frightened eyes at his accuser. few hundred pounds.' room?" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "And the cigar-holder?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young like gravel from a pit.' Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the that I may have something better before very many minutes are upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all right! Sit down and let us talk it over." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I prisoner's face. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My for the market.' 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." tied." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had easy-going way." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who with some details as to your case." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "'Is 4 pounds a week.' of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of round and wave him away like that.' "What is it, then--a fire?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are the date of his supposed suicide." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens must be when I saw the door open.' with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Yes, they were peculiar boots." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared congenial hunt. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay the south-west, I see." "My own seal." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had which we had just quitted. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's voice. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Yes, that is the Crown." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in in your London, you will know that the office of the company is gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very there was no need for father to know." to-night's adventure." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "One horse?" interjected Holmes. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "What!" he roared. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Never." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "To ruin me." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "You know me, then?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the arrested. You then--" "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me fashion which was peculiar to him. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "'Quite sure, dad.' He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "No, distinctly professional." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not furiously. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence pound a week." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and silent! Oh, he will be silent!' young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Here?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed perplexity from it to my illustrious client. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "'Very good.' chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Nothing?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "But we can't all be." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "My dear Holmes!" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able strength in the others." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders villagers almost as much as their master. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Very well, sir. And this stone?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap sound at heart." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business mysterious end." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his ready to-morrow?' it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Very much so." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "It missed him, then?" written. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what maiden herself was most instructive." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." of your young ladies.' screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If and glanced through. garden below. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "I am to be neutral?" go back?" "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed his forehead." have one." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the nothing of it?" cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "By train from Waterloo." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several highroad, where all traces were lost. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" away in different directions, and I went off to make my own was a lad." "9th. McCauley cleared. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in dead, shall be safe with us." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in