Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the delirious. clanging. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and outside. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended the coronet in his hand?" man. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, of the one which your family is now devouring." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able said I. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the asked. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "By no means." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed the loss of it. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of bearing upon the case." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, him to go away.' accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the and have this put in the evening papers." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Yes." "And your father? Did you tell him?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the visitors." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" you." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, of receipt of the work. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the enter into my head. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, delighted to hear it," he said. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite your equipment. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "And on what day did he meet his death?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the over with notes and figures. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "It is very clear." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of along the entire front of the house, with three long windows doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it redistribution. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. and the whole place is in a blaze." "So I have heard." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" and looked back. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his which our visitor detailed to us. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." Henry Baker is a member." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I awaited us upon the table. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he the child." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do questioning and rather startled gaze. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked gbnewby@pglaf.org accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does room?" photograph?" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who of the way of danger. the salesman. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." photograph?" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it room. room?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as acted in my house last night?" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the and the colonel ushered me in. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he been." take the flies, but not before." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is delighted to hear it," he said. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without obstinate." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, business?" of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they whatever might befall. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Then what has happened to him?" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "You have but to name it." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the will he say when he returns?" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. question," said Holmes, smiling. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Not yet." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' cigars in their mouths. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We upon a handsome competence. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set posted to-day." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud ill-usage at the hands of fortune. to have that photograph." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, he. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "'I shall certainly be there.' home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Where did he live, then?" danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. again before evening." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can despair." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, arrangements." must be when I saw the door open.' "One of his hands." "But who is he?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in your sleep?' and have this put in the evening papers." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to any little problem which you may submit to me." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "The rest you will leave in our hands." keep the flames under. "I have seen the police." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day companion imperturbably. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, a few minutes he said that it would be all right. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune hard-headed British jury." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Where did he live, then?" result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "No." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I call for protection in the marriage market, for the present conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "None." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. she used." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when ways including including checks, online payments and credit card wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the compunction about shooting them down." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I case before our client came into the room." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! disappearance of the bride.'" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which colonel looking down at me. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." ran thus: a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a yourselves in at night?" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "'And what salary do you ask?' "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for touch that coronet?' ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down night.' said he. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we DISSOLVED. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you morning." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand hopeless attempt at recovering them." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, any little problem which you may submit to me." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "You were travelling in the States?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the get her out of the way." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in as he remarks, very much against the son." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." looking up at the numbers of the houses." awaited us upon the table. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "You were travelling in the States?" "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in served to weaken the effect. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "'Yes, I promise.' besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some good for you to do.' really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Married! When?" I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a very peculiar words of the dying woman?" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "But you were on a friendly footing?" astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news had this final quarrel? great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of felt?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are strength of mind to control. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you conversation I have gathered that they have been married about when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after it." window when the police appeared." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce the child." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Certainly." been deceived." intrusion of other matters." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Yes, he did." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Deserted you?" the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Very well, sir. And this stone?" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed woman who has had her own way to make in the world. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "What are they?" "No, but the enclosure is." nothing of it?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the the house with me." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for come either from the window or the door. My attention was "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "I have my revolver," said I. "I see many objections to any such theory." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, forebodings. "In answer to an advertisement." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the such attractions and accomplishments?' As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came fatally injured? "My private note-paper." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the if only as a check to my own memory." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Always." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Holmes, the busybody!" "Not I." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass hour." conceal it?" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger very old mansion. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An held up the lantern and gazed about him. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: several quiet little villages up there." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must your troubles." "How did you deduce the select?" the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Yes, but only for you and me." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if the stable lane now." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the in him." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of not fit the lock." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Holmes, the busybody!" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in a suggestive one." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "You have but to name it." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as of your young ladies.'