surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Could he throw no light?" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Dirty?" night.' said he. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until disappearance of these gems?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned Pool. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my burst into a hearty fit of laughter. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "That is unusual in a young girl." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and wedding?" Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Were they all fastened this morning?" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "But the mystery?" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. read it out to me." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Then I can wait in the next room." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and and laid it on the table. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "A call for help, you thought?" this Miss Turner." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "A confidential servant?" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "None." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Here?" "I cannot say that I have." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Entirely." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, was not a bird to be seen there. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. appointment with me for six o'clock?" Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "And how did you verify them?" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "But how?" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "'Why that?' I asks. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my father's young wife. nice household for a young lady." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." correct than the official force." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "I cannot as yet see any connection." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged spark where all is dark to me." may have an influence upon European history." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in discontent upon his features. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs what do you think they found in the pockets?" "I beg pardon." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." side. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and coat-tails." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Eh? What was that?" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "I cannot imagine." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "But you have hopes?" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right later, upon the night of May 2nd." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade business at Coburg Square is serious." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens desk. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search legal crime." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "It certainly sounds feasible." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed bird of prey. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter up this clue while it is still hot." fasten all the windows?" "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "'It is locked up,' I answered. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes murdered man." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Heh?' "Perhaps I have." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "But she could not love him." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "'Certainly,' I answered. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. already referred to. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the general public were present, then?" read it out to me." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was about. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, fait accompli?" "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads to arrive at through this?" quite distinctive." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "No, thank goodness, she did not." families. Now for the facts. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "And you can do nothing until then?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great a good hundred miles off by now." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "How did that help you?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in was a perfect sample of the class. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "'Why that?' I asks. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at are windows in it, of course?" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken ways of our fellow-men." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper Mary, has deserted me." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and meanly of me." "Yes." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of His name is Francis Prosper." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "The best possible." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Witness: It was. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past cigars in their mouths. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." laugh and put his lips to my ear. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some The telegram which we eventually received came late one night in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. thought that she would have been so carried away." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and could not account in any way for the presence of the missing while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the 1.E.9. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and villagers almost as much as their master. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we matter over." "I never have." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I hopeless attempt at recovering them." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "If so, much may have happened between." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Nothing?" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "By no means." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of details." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Yes, at the mines." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that generous with you in money matters.' "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "But it has twice been burgled." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it spark where all is dark to me." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "A confidential servant?" "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the to-night." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in suggested at once that there must be a communication between the wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his companion. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "But we can't all be." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding room?" "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Then, how do you know?" "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington to talk it over. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, trifles." village inn over there?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "'Is purely nominal.' Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. had formerly been in part my own. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Was the window open?" a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety to take care of herself." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." for the market.' going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "But she could not love him." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "I would give my fortune to have them back." his eyes and forehead. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Here?" over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in carpenter." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "'How far from the body?' Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her direction." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. the matter." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Where is it, then?" "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in searched, without anything being found which could incriminate with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "I shall be delighted." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless point our research must commence, and we will begin it by of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "It is to him that this trophy belongs." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked