and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "I am about to be married." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or results." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with away in different directions, and I went off to make my own case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. delighted to hear it," he said. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two and I shall be with you presently." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." families. Now for the facts. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, this remarkable episode. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "My dear Holmes!" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry without success. At last the little money which I had saved began burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Never." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement had formerly been in part my own. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent some mystery and the punishment of some crime." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But interest. They are important, you understand, without being for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Never to return." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Mrs. Toller serenely. some terrible trap for her." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are his cane at the bell-pull. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "'You cannot say what it was?' suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and photograph?" shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "What then?" found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your very morning of my second wedding." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready country, and eventually married, without anyone having a The note was undated, and without either signature or address. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I security.' room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely was keenly on my guard against him. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet bearing upon the case." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. attention." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able to-night?' sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "I cannot think." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the looking up at the numbers of the houses." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year noting anything else of interest. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of other means.' delirious. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "I was sure that I might rely on you." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this locked. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang forbidden door. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you redistribution. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Quite so." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "On Monday." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "We have tried and failed." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit I nodded again. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that the side-table." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That take the flies, but not before." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings this man was intellectual?" "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving His smile broadened. events than those which have happened in my own family." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that call for protection in the marriage market, for the present responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Precisely." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Whose house is it?" gone. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Perhaps I have." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him than to us. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no garden below. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though the King without delay." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." gigantic client. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she advice." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence union?" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My neither fascinating nor artistic." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "The King of Scandinavia." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her formed some opinion?" his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been girl said." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "I am in hopes that she does." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right lumber-room." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Pray do so." "It is no ordinary one." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "And you can do nothing until then?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of presented which may be striking and bizarre without being have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE certainly not very gracious." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in several quiet little villages up there." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear the coronet in his hands?" it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "That is unusual in a young girl." feature." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "What then?" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "It was." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "I am armed." "One of his hands." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "You did not overhear what they said?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Yes." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches was feeling which was the fattest.' encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of the loss of it. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough success. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but DISSOLVED. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose absolutely follow my advice in every respect." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the night.' asked. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." gentleman's clothes. him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Yes." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "My photograph." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Yes, the wine-cellar." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "What!" he roared. him. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "I assure you that I am in your hands." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Yes." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Nothing?" lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the and the whole place is in a blaze." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found father's place of business?" for the market.' his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "When did it break out?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "He is dead," cried several voices. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "But what is it you wish?" was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." advice." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said strength of mind to control. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against It was close upon four before the door opened, and a here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Was your sister dressed?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "'How far from the body?' The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt four million human beings all jostling each other within the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "It is a murder, then?" near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "The landlord of the Alpha." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to investigation." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices them?" tear off another piece?' the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised look upon these things in a different way." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of should be so warm over such a trifle." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission conclusions. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" noble correspondent could be. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "He is still with you, I presume?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the little trying to do so much typewriting?" "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. I was concerned in it." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare to a more successful conclusion." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that felt?" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the you, my dear young lady?' spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to frequently gained my first real insight into the character of corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "But the mystery?" of campaign. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day absolutely follow my advice in every respect." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their you." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a me." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "There is the writing." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Seven!" I answered. business matters.' Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, there was no need for father to know." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. appeal." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who beyond words. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four before the coroner and the police-court." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are disturbance in my wife." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "The rest you will leave in our hands." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw people don't know." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a young Openshaw's." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "And the cigar-holder?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and directly by questioning you." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "What, then, did Peterson do?" Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug