"Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a likely to be some crony of the landlady's." just called myself is not exactly my own." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in and no precautions can guard against." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been companion quietly. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the returning from some small jollification and was making his way green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "His face fell immediately. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew lost nothing by them." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Were they all fastened this morning?" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Get out!" said he. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the south, for the country is more deserted there." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two to-morrow." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "I shall be delighted." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of to have been novel and of interest." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Well." "Entirely." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, held up the lantern and gazed about him. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are since then to throw any light upon what became of him." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave daring than any effort of the imagination." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate notes," he said. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "He disappeared so suddenly." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not the coronet in his hand?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining footfalls from the street. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Yes." "Yes, but only for you and me." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not as this. Pray let me have the details." "It's nothing of the kind." heavy and sharp instrument." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And and prosperity to your house. Good-night." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Surrey." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was of campaign. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in father's young wife. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. to Leatherhead. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "And how did you verify them?" I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away will find little credit to be gained out of this case." my special province." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" stalked out of the room. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of advice." to miss it." "I cannot imagine." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Why, what do you mean?" flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own floor. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper astonishment. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "What! a murderous attack?" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "It surprised me." "'Entirely.' carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Were they all fastened this morning?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "What can you not understand?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon gbnewby@pglaf.org that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "How on earth--" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "But how?" fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and I approached. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and morning." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." gives a meaning to it." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "My own seal." drove away. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "'You doubt its value?' he asked. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful your only hope of safety." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be peculiar to him. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "And that is--" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for what I may call a really hard day's work." him to be an active member of the medical profession." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do all-comprehensive glances. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "But you can know nothing of this?" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would some city in a dream. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me hard-headed British jury." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "I am in hopes that she does." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman go--none." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical outside. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers I shall continue with my miserable story. that I can to serve you." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is burst into a hearty fit of laughter. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a You can understand that this register and diary may implicate Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Your sister is dead, then?" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "I will not look." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, if I call to-morrow?" were unconscious?" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its get the tickets." mysterious end." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several investigation." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, round with crates and massive boxes. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." that I may have something better before very many minutes are Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the strode off upon his way. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another habit of advancing money.' upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table politicians who had been sent down from the North. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "You saw the ventilator, too?" cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked business in the City. She little knew what. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and hereditary King of Bohemia." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in and I shall be with you presently." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any hardly wander." "She told me to ask you." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" invisible to me," I remarked. me have 200 pounds?' description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" III. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that the bed, and you in that chair." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of carpenter." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "'It is locked up,' I answered. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but II. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time dates and names. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "I have solved it." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes new duties?' "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "I guessed as much." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our to talk it over. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure copied or distributed: "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "By train from Waterloo." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I me." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to over with notes and figures. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" clang of the bell. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Never." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is several quiet little villages up there." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Her father is very rich?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Here?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "I should wish to." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile province." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but the King without delay." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold Pope's Court. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." at a side door. enter into my head. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. correct than the official force." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the himself to hunt down. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were future lives." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the little adventures." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "And how in the world did you find them?" anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "'Very good.' without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was congratulate you again." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving