shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. legal crime." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who security.' really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "None." cigar and let me expound." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Yes, it was twisted." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a breakfast." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and your troubles." "Pray do so." and the church but not where the lady lived." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to child?' after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "And I to find an enemy." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. even of instruction." chance." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But maiden herself was most instructive." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Deserted you?" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "I am sure." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, fled together." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "You know me, then?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows down in his armchair and closing his eyes. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Countess of Morcar's?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a get the tickets." "Yes, it was twisted." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "What can it mean?" I gasped. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Do you go out much in society?" her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "One horse?" interjected Holmes. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and appeal." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the have I gained?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him you." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "What can it mean?" I gasped. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside characteristics, but those are the more obvious." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever my room." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical system of imprisonment?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "'How far from the body?' faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from six. Come in!" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. o'clock is it?" Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the business in the City. She little knew what. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some fire. You quite follow me?" the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Will you bet, then?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to manager. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Why, what do you mean?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day families. Now for the facts. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so do.' "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, directly by questioning you." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the this poor creature." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry http://gutenberg.net/license). without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each and all of them with the keenest interest. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the For additional contact information: "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Then I shall certainly come." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose to a light-house. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the me." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it other lovers by making love himself." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door suggested at once that there must be a communication between the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not furiously. six. Come in!" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "But how?" least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to lumber-room." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor observed. I took the paper from him and read as follows: exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a upon the white wrist. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" case-book, which he consulted. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by it? Did I buy the geese off you?" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Yes." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet to tell." province." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears death." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Game for a morning drive?" find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up information in his hands the value of which he did not himself the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on thin legs towards the fire. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "But how did you gain them?" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is death." "Certainly." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on in the hope of finding them." "The Coroner: What do you mean? jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "At what time?" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Has he come with you to-night?" photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Who by?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "And what did you see?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to thought that she would have been so carried away." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, rat could hardly pass through." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Thank you. And your address?" frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Did your wife hear all this?" that I am arrested." "Yes, it would be as well." believe that I should never have any practice at all. get the tickets." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Only as much as we can deduce." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid acted in my house last night?" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and and laid it on the table. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "And the murderer?" I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think families. Now for the facts. "But what is it you wish?" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "He slept on the premises." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "It is very clear." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" breakfast?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered to a light-house. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" light and attacked it." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should really the only notable feature about the thing." village inn over there?" time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You sentimental considerations in the background which would induce exactly what you advise." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and spare." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. advice." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "My Mary? Impossible!" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "What can you not understand?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "And how in the world did you find them?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Doctor, of the paper and the date." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to instituted." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the electronic works Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "What shall I do?" reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of you?' rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I business." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl notes," he said. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us you." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The His smile broadened. think, you have already met." "He said that you could solve anything." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. one of the states of the Union." "'Certainly not. But why?' because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it round with crates and massive boxes. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "'As governess?' "'Certainly not. But why?' she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in maiden herself was most instructive." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he on re-entering her father's house?" "I was afraid that you were engaged." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must some water from a caraffe. conduct the inquiry." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we quickly through a disagreeable task. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. success. "An accident, I presume?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' true." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without married her." clang of the bell. copied or distributed: "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows