is four-and-twenty." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser woman who has had her own way to make in the world. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "None." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet distinguish the words: other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not companion quietly. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "But what harm can there be in that?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to room?" the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. II. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Not in a good cause." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread placed his cuttings. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two at my remark. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which o'clock is it?" "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the nothing of it?" "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have colour had been driven from his face. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "He is dead," cried several voices. weighed down with some great anxiety. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "What office?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were way: All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "I think it very unlikely." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my appeared upon the scene." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." shoulder; "he's all right." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' details." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that it." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very to some other building. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work in him." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works and I shall be with you presently." figure." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "You have carte blanche." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Just look it up, then." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "My dear Holmes!" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid back into the street. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen words came to my lips. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it shoulder. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Where, then, is my wife?" memory. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were some city in a dream. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." behind me. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "That sounds a little paradoxical." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "No, distinctly professional." possible that we could bring him back to her? great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced before, for it was considerably after midnight. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought strength." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "In which, sir?" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. tapping his fingers upon the table. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old telegram would bring me down to your help." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it people in all walks of life. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Do you know him?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down it right.' work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but For additional contact information: we went to search for him, face downward in a little "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from there were one or two details which were new to me. But the constraint." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of you." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may My friend smiled. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Absolutely?" "Well, but China?" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "How on earth--" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for money should be paid at once.' "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "'Certainly not.' the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the recover the gem." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are on re-entering her father's house?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Not in the least." "But how did you gain them?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon placed his cuttings. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, were new raised from a basin. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Ha! you find it so?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this following enigmatical notices: not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our which I could not give. He asked for Alice. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us third from London." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads Mrs. Toller serenely. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "What have you to say now?" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was and a shock of very red hair. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of may have an influence upon European history." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Precisely." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is fashion which was peculiar to him. respectable self." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then populous neighbourhood." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "What can you not understand?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "It's nothing of the kind." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear dates and names. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to bears upon the case?" "Really! You surprise me." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "In which, sir?" quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "That is not always so easy." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Dr. Gregory B. Newby called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "10th. John Swain cleared. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who seven miles from Eyford Station.' "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two to-night?' his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon returned to France?" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "The landlord of the Alpha." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my the iron safe, which he closed upon it. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in my room." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently sooner or later she must fall a victim. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." and capable of preserving a secret.' "Have you it here?" ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was over with notes and figures. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "It is half-past ten now." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a imbecility!" he cried. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always his huge brown hands. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and Cross for the Continent." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am the inner apartment." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The do." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the was keenly on my guard against him. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Then you may entirely rely on me." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to unkempt, staring out at me. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check you came in." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has delirious. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I quite distinctive." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "No." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Breckinridge is his name." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "'Then let me do so?' "What shall I do?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a easy-going way." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to mystery!" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded woman." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling you found me to-night--and running through the front room she grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling I am not easy in my mind about them." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a during that time.' thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Not in a good cause." congratulate you again." "Eh? What was that?" dear old homesteads?" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to there is a decided draught." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining have I gained?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "'Never,' said I. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "And why?" "Breckinridge is his name." appeal." public press." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency not personally threatened." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "No." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "My opinion is in no way altered." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "I should like to see him very much." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "I guessed as much." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned arms and began to sob in a high treble key. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had coroner's jury." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Not I." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "'What do you call purely nominal?' the matter." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Then what has happened to him?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. with you?" a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass foresight and the moral retrogression?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we yourselves in at night?" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man absorbing." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "And he is a man with a wooden leg?"