plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account in this note: 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "By train from Waterloo." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a John Swain, of St. Augustine. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But instituted." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and note?" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "I say that I have solved it." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, better grown goose." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got was feeling which was the fattest.' breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "It is possible." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom possible that we could bring him back to her? "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of been lifted and conveyed somewhere." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "It is no ordinary one." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this the salesman. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very felt?" the house with me." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "But she could not love him." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from business in the City. She little knew what. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from which our visitor detailed to us. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Just look it up, then." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely take the flies, but not before." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the the little opening for the ventilator is." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one feature." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "I should be immensely obliged to you." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his papers must be those that are destroyed.' "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the attention." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. during which he might have communicated with his friend the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' would apply.' word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of populous neighbourhood." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." him to go away.' explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious down. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "The vanishing of the lady." of the one which your family is now devouring." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Dirty?" possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Why? What do you mean?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "'And the work?' sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, his fortune, and I went back to pa. key turn in the lock." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," not within a twentieth part of the market price." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs wedding?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to said he. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "But you would not advise me to refuse?" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just to change my dress. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Your French gold?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a and no precautions can guard against." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Nothing." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "The landlord of the Alpha." should be so warm over such a trifle." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here to a more successful conclusion." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small get her out of the way." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to points to suicide?" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Eh? What was that?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Why did you pick him?" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "What of the rat, then?" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "At the wedding breakfast." disappearance of these gems?" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" on in his house." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening as he remarks, very much against the son." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I not, dad?" she asked. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless said he. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its becomes even more simple." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at I shall continue with my miserable story. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. signal between you and your father? "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been something of him before." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one taking in every detail of the apartment. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your been lifted and conveyed somewhere." straightened it out again. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "She told me to ask you." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and enough to aid us in our search." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I late." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been you in your example." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "By train from Waterloo." to have that photograph." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Project Gutenberg-tm works. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "I am about to be married." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not of Mr. Rucastle's." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm locked. introspective fashion. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "You are certainly joking, Holmes." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. events than those which have happened in my own family." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining the one as in the other." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew DISSOLVED. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "But his left-handedness." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way is," said he presently: know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Yes." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide true." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had conversation I have gathered that they have been married about examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "No bad?" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "My opinion is in no way altered." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that of campaign. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective present." "Married! When?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, seen the man in the road." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "You are all wrong." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your danger is over." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his not fit the lock." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight most important business. It is probable that he will be away all was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "I cannot tell." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical at my own good fortune. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose to Leatherhead. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for suggested at once that there must be a communication between the that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "'Yes.' immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "She will not sell." electronic works prepare for the new role I have to play." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I help us in this matter." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with appeal." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "How did that help you?" case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an and capable of preserving a secret.' he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Yes, sir." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, me have 200 pounds?' the devil!" The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "'Yes, sir.' "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at happened." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on whole matter to your consideration." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad woman." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both official police." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "'I shall certainly be there.' pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next