clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As see me here to avoid scandal." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Has he come with you to-night?" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, asked. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "But your client--" Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "It's nothing of the kind." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "That you are never beaten." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "I will get her to show me." States. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line soul! here is her carriage at the door." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "I am still in the dark." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to outsides of the windows. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: introspective fashion. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of just ask you whether you had heard it.' after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "I was certainly surprised to find you there." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "'You cannot say what it was?' coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking rat could hardly pass through." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it it." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind call the police, let the police find what they can.' "But how?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard know what is wrong with it.' Foundation the very letters. But what is this written above them?' rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, own family. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to horse could go." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "And when will you call?" next day. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "No more words. Get out!" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "How did he come?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and you for a few hours?" "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil are windows in it, of course?" breakfast?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is wall." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. the nursery. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "'Never,' said I. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to then?" of note-paper. It read in this fashion: directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before matter." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may papers on the sundial.'" husband's writing, madam." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, it right.' destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and obstinate." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be went to the Alpha were town bred." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he house for five minutes.' effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "'What would be the hours?' I asked. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton you." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the the running down." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. narrative." I. will not take me long to tell. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the union?" Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his situation." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as was lame." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "None. Neville wrote those words." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Do you know him?" certainly not very gracious." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of Gutenberg-tm License. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have the matter." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, himself in a perplexing position. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." congenial hunt. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "I see no marks." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was I have it here in my museum." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "'As governess?' cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is tell them apart.' listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Yes, from Horsham." the Red-headed League." article?" I held the little printed slip to the light. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must third from London." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a good for you to do.' "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done with you?" demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to this poor creature." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall think that he is innocent?" the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Married! When?" "On the contrary, this is the right side." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. made him keep the appointment." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste peculiar to him. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. and have this put in the evening papers." call you and give you the chance." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your just ask you whether you had heard it.' me. You must get home instantly and act." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Yes." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution them, and came down just as you departed. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled his eyes and forehead. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled and prosperity to your house. Good-night." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot threw himself down with his face to the pillow. maiden herself was most instructive." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the that I am arrested." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Yes." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if any little problem which you may submit to me." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of events than those which have happened in my own family." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, appeal." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his touch that coronet?' instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Precisely." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his mystery may be cleared along those lines." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "'You doubt its value?' he asked. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. room. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest God! What an exposure! What can I do?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "No." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." trifles." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near lectures into a series of tales." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a I approached. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Chief Executive and Director the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are His smile broadened. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. bell. Holmes whistled. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's unprofitable." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, way in everything. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for goes." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of new duties?' has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that open." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and question. status with the IRS. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Have you her photograph?" "Your sister is dead, then?" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear never to learn it at all." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of to a more successful conclusion." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Where, indeed?" evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the the address that was given us in the advertisement. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked unprofitable." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and before, for it was considerably after midnight. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears address. "Not particularly." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his character. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "'I have heard so.' that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do case-book, which he consulted. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "But you have hopes?" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your 1.E.9. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large he bowed and left the room without another word. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of to tackle the facts." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the a suggestive one." was a lad." Pool. gone. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a the coroner come to?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Witness: It was. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "My own seal." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally