following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid nonsense.' to me. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "And you can do nothing until then?" Mary, has deserted me." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. business." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Yes, only one." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim during the last few years, and there are many noble families to brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "10th. John Swain cleared. shoulder; "he's all right." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. http://www.gutenberg.net "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "And your father? Did you tell him?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been nice household for a young lady." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of to arrive at through this?" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "It is solved." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "'Stolen!' he cried. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "And Irene Adler?" "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided back alive. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "I guessed as much." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' recall any case within my experience which looked at the first inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "It surprised me." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "I assure you that I am in your hands." will take you up to see the machine.' jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I enough to aid us in our search." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, friend's singular character. strode off upon his way. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the to change my dress. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a interests were the same as his." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "The Cedars?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But details should find their way into the papers. Inspector life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our cigars in the box." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "It's nothing of the kind." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came way in everything. politicians who had been sent down from the North. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Certainly." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "It was." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "'In my own bureau.' money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good who was a member of your goose club." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Does that suggest anything?" him. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on troubles have been weighing upon his mind. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable to-night's adventure." the night.' "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. leave you to your papers for a little." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Then I do not see the point." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Witness: I must still refuse. dear old homesteads?" The events in question occurred in the early days of my daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without the inner apartment." the tragedy. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "And is that all?" events than those which have happened in my own family." "Deserted you?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself which was all perfectly true. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, outside." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, helping a boy to put up the shutters. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets sit on the left-hand side of the driver." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able said he. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, hereditary King of Bohemia." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Holmes' thin, eager face. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington it with his own hands." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "If so, much may have happened between." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must yards of it?' "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "I cannot imagine." very morning of my second wedding." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "In which, sir?" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no may never be exposed to such a temptation." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional Count Von Kramm." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "I have seen the police." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "I cannot tell." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" fashion which was peculiar to him. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "How did you deduce the select?" is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, so.' I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into cup of tea. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work crowd. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch intimate personal affairs in this public manner." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "'As governess?' "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the call it cruel." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few carpenter." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Ah!" nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I strong and stiff." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back status with the IRS. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is business at Coburg Square is serious." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you confronted him. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "By all means." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to next day. carried out of court." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled on in his house." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Upon what point?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. to talk it over. telegram would bring me down to your help." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to I held the little printed slip to the light. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and money should be paid at once.' "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "'A dozen yards or so.' is," said he presently: "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened official police." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The flock.' "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you and the colonel ushered me in. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "I think that it is very probable." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has really the only notable feature about the thing." "But you were on a friendly footing?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly details." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons them?" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away standing smiling on the door-step. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all whole matter to your consideration." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "None." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that written, and locked the door of the office after me. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building in his power. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "To ruin me." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on man. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." question. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy you came in." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "I cannot think." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from of it with the greatest attention. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Not I." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, cigar and let me expound." strength." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Yes." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the bears upon the case?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full late!' "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, said he at last. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when green of the new foliage. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Do you know him?" be.' his knees, staring into the fire. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat daring than any effort of the imagination." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote existence." "Come in!" said Holmes. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any kind enough to tell me what I should do." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in cost them two and thirty pounds." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "'And the work?' Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "'Entirely.' his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement.