we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers extraordinary contortions. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Dr. Becher's." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass was a lad." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE pictures, libraries, or plate. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just wedding?" "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he the salesman. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "And how in the world did you find them?" be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was the child." will he say when he returns?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms bore every mark of being an average commonplace British to-morrow." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" man. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should upon the white wrist. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "At what time?" which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "His face fell immediately. "Could he throw no light?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was vague figure huddled up in the darkness. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the them, and came down just as you departed. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "'Ample.' very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and enter Dr. Roylott's room." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Yes." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done my friend's incisive reasoning. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which discontent upon his features. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not before, for it was considerably after midnight. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "What then?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and come either from the window or the door. My attention was opportunities to fix the problem. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses been lifted and conveyed somewhere." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "I don't say that. Perhaps." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Certainly, madam." notes," he said. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his father's young wife. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his together. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "How can you tell that?" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how crime." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, read over the extraordinary announcement. "Yes, it was twisted." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies figure." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of sit on the left-hand side of the driver." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase 11:15.' afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows is now desirous of getting those letters back." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have father's place of business?" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" out of this horrible affair." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in I took the paper from him and read as follows: enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to this unhappy family?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as that he has suffered." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the these bleak autumnal evenings." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "We must have a cab." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a the coronet in his hands?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "But it has twice been burgled." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he appointment with me for six o'clock?" my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Yes. He waved his hands." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still if I call to-morrow?" entirely lost his self-respect." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. helping a boy to put up the shutters. take the flies, but not before." "I have a cab outside." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey vault. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much I held the little printed slip to the light. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped case before our client came into the room." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Where, then, is my wife?" I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently make me his representative both with the servants and with the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Then I do not see the point." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such you do it in twenty minutes!' am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "I cannot think." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent affair. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" least a fellow-countryman. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Then I can wait in the next room." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "'Yes, sir.' "How about poison?" you?' creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander careless servant girl?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." was keenly on my guard against him. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he the matter?" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after of the way of danger. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Murdered?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Here?" "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' individual and becomes the badge of a society." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "You have a clue?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be records." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Then I can wait in the next room." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless what is your own theory as to what took place?" dead, shall be safe with us." "On your arm?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Witness: I must still refuse. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "The landlord of the Alpha." married her." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two detained." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." may have an influence upon European history." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I me. You must get home instantly and act." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, one's self under obligations.' have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own flock.' shag which I had seen upon the previous night. light and attacked it." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" address. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "'Yes, I promise.' me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness place no limit on the sum I may draw." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning mysterious end." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" my special province." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's it. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "That also I could fathom." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a you understand?" "Yes, he did." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "You horrify me!" "You were travelling in the States?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the which our visitor detailed to us. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." for the market.' King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that to have been novel and of interest." Miss Holder?" sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his society." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. coroner's jury." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between introspective fashion. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying remarked. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Game for a morning drive?" "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "I guessed as much." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of round with crates and massive boxes. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her advice." Clair, of Lee." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of shaken than I had ever seen him. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted memory. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. one of the states of the Union." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as the room while you explain this matter?" ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said foot. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, business matters.' will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you were unconscious?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "No legal papers or certificates?" hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their prisoner's face. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "He said that you could solve anything." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "I cannot tell." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a meant it for the best. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." you." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the nursery. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Who was the criminal, then?" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "You know me, then?" highly," said Holmes. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain taking in every detail of the apartment. have not had my rubber." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Yes, at the mines." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and you?" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by very peculiar words of the dying woman?" computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of