her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Never." vault. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, into the room. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Just look it up, then." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are said I. other means.' posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in very peculiar words of the dying woman?" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It dramatic, in fact." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Perhaps I have." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon had picked up in the wood. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press my secret was safe in his possession. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "What steps will you take?" I asked. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "No." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found key turn in the lock." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Holmes rather sternly. letters?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that companion. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental ashen face. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "But his lameness?" "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and sooner or later she must fall a victim. all-comprehensive glances. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project the window, rose as we entered. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Precisely so. But how--" "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "None. Neville wrote those words." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I experiences." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To he bowed and left the room without another word. better grown goose." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "It is very clear." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the DAMAGE. question," said Holmes, smiling. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself think that he is innocent?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful of your young ladies.' prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Project Gutenberg-tm works. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a intrusion of other matters." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook your bag." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my him and tried to hold him back. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Project Gutenberg-tm works. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going are windows in it, of course?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Is he quiet?" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in gone before you can get him to hospital." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Come in!" said Holmes. "It is true that I have been generally successful." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the future lives." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. and inquire as to the address." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "And now?" He raised his hand. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then only touch the interest." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "No." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "I will, Miss Turner." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Yes, it would be as well." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," to some other building. "Upon what point?" "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" followed. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "The decline of his fortunes, then?" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found were new raised from a basin. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Upon what point?" not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked again on its way. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Where, then?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Miss Holder?" know what is wrong with it.' you give your casting vote to?" does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "We must have a cab." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. good-night and bustled off upon her way. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, this truth that in these little records of our cases which you fatally injured? quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "I am still in the dark." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Texas, I think." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the which it had come upon my father." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that suggested at once that there must be a communication between the chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. his huge brown hands. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and companion. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." strength in the others." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Here?" "That sounds a little paradoxical." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him gentleman's clothes. the best of training." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly within hail.' away in different directions, and I went off to make my own wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a already referred to. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Can I be of assistance?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where vague figure huddled up in the darkness. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "It is half-past ten now." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is believe that I should never have any practice at all. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are is acting for the best. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Eh? What was that?" heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "'Never,' said I. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "But how did you gain them?" the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "You don't mind breaking the law?" at my own good fortune. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "What! Had he lost his wife?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect later, upon the night of May 2nd." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." are, I think, all that we need." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she weighed down with some great anxiety. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." that he has suffered." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" eavesdroppers?' crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "I should wish to." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which fluttered off among the others. unclasping of his long thin hands. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "How did you trace it, then?" reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." himself to tell his story. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no he bowed and left the room without another word. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, future lives." "Precisely." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "I am sure." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "None." if she died from some sudden fright." Eyford." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush the so-precious time, but come!' "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "I think it very unlikely." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "'Yes.' brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had been shamefully used." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery official police." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "She will not sell." "No, I had a dozen." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the It may be so in this case, also." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream and no precautions can guard against." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached just called myself is not exactly my own." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "In answer to an advertisement." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "On your arm?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon remarked. "VIOLET HUNTER." already been minutely examined." bird I ate is country bred." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "To the police?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "That was it, sir." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two questionable one." started for the Temple to see my husband. the little opening for the ventilator is." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Gutenberg-tm License. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open said he. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Yes, it would be as well." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a this poor creature." bird of prey. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely ready to-morrow?' "No good news?" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it depend upon my doing so.' foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "And it is--" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "But he might be a bachelor." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "It is possible." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. was feeling which was the fattest.' Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "And Irene Adler?" We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated was a perfect sample of the class. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting may never be exposed to such a temptation." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I American. Then who could this American be, and why should he extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "I have hopes." to miss it." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, his eyes and forehead. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you them, and came down just as you departed. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" six. Come in!" he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and attention." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his off." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "What, then, did Peterson do?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the may have an influence upon European history." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "'Entirely.' few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "9th. McCauley cleared. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in through." ventilator." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "An accident, I presume?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the man. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of