furiously. "Nothing." "What then?" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A fuss that is made over them." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people acted in my house last night?" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out later, upon the night of May 2nd." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly detained." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution nights." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "My dear Holmes!" de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is was it brought him the coronet? surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that distinguish the words: "He is dead," cried several voices. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and John Swain, of St. Augustine. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just James Windibank. Voilà tout!" Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say distance from the station, and there we found the young lady object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but have been better. It is all right." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Yes, the wine-cellar." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it a monotonous occupation." appeal." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "I cannot think." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a second window is the one that I jumped from." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. to that open window." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous shoulder; "he's all right." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the seven miles from Eyford Station.' upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first in this note: more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through triumphant cloud from his cigarette. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been just called myself is not exactly my own." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found the matter?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from knowledge of the world." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. delirious. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "No, distinctly professional." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Who by?" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had sound at heart." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "It is half-past ten now." comes from the middle window." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" danger is over." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The from the brougham. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which once more to my work. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." what is your own theory as to what took place?" We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain cigars in their mouths. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in served to weaken the effect. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "But what is it you wish?" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his chill to my heart. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." of them has the shutters up.' "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It weary and pale-looking. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been is now desirous of getting those letters back." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our off." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until now. It seems that there had been some informality about their the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "But how did you gain them?" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "By no means." keep the flames under. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "'Ample.' Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always the running down." round and wave him away like that.' "'I am sure that I do not know.' intimate personal affairs in this public manner." mystery!" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "That is easily got." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Pray tell us what has happened to you." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue future lives." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the made him keep the appointment." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case their singular warning or token before them when starting upon the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "And how have you succeeded?" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching might have a private word with us. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf over his head with a sweet womanly caress. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is this as likely?" hair?' business came to an end." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "What steps will you take?" I asked. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "'What, the red-headed man?' in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House national property. I was determined that the law should have its husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Thank you. And your address?" had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Then, as to money?" sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Doctor, of the paper and the date." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "And sit in the dark?" "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Whose house is it?" which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "At the wedding breakfast." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at you in yours." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "You have the photograph?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face him to go away.' "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became with her." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "How about poison?" about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely appeared upon the scene." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "No." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor photograph?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between o'clock is it?" discontent upon his features. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my suggested at once that there must be a communication between the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite just ask you whether you had heard it.' hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to showing my impatience. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An tightly behind him. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "I answered that I had not. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable is a common subject for conversation. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Well?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "What have you to say now?" him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the Mary, has deserted me." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there relation between them, and what the object of his repeated Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would weary and pale-looking. invisible to me," I remarked. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, to tackle the facts." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out must be when I saw the door open.' "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, views." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again at my remark. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and name is different." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It lamp in his hand. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice companion imperturbably. "It certainly sounds feasible." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a disappearance of these gems?" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "No sign of it?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William heavily into it. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "But to whom?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy least a most suspicious remark." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug works. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "So I heard. You have him here?" photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "I am about to be married." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own any." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. jewels which you have stolen?' broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which weigh very heavily upon my conscience." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it corner of the building. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed seen the man in the road." bird I ate is country bred." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Holmes rather sternly. were new raised from a basin. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was she has been waylaid. There has been no result." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a skylight. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax tightly behind him. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through