"But if he is innocent, who has done it?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of returning from some small jollification and was making his way public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Very. But will he see it?" recover the gem." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem the address that was given us in the advertisement. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the relief. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. that I can to serve you." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "The gentleman I describe." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. official police." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the you came in." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have feature." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in in the hope of finding them." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to villagers almost as much as their master. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "That also I could fathom." possible that we could bring him back to her? have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition like that before?" "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. all-comprehensive glances. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "The doctor?" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "A greater distance to travel." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation of campaign. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "What then?" Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar things are very often connected not with the larger but with the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into man. I know him from the photograph." "I was sure that I might rely on you." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "My dear Holmes!" "That is not always so easy." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "My dear Holmes!" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "That's no good." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "That sounds a little paradoxical." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." his face which made him a very different person to the round, merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "The vanishing of the lady." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "What are they?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "I have a cab outside." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "'What do you call purely nominal?' became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Precisely." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing affection." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "On your arm?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have that there was nothing in it, after all." "No." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." interested in these little problems, and since you are good the matter?" that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I she might be summoned. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now This is what he says: weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Upon what point?" "'Certainly,' I answered. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us his eyes and forehead. national property. I was determined that the law should have its electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the case-book, which he consulted. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me hereditary King of Bohemia." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "No legal papers or certificates?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "What, then, did Peterson do?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "I am all attention, madam." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and just ask you whether you had heard it.' how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily weigh very heavily upon my conscience." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Then, how do you know?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss floor. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham remarked. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Then what has happened to him?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Here?" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Deserted you?" death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little the roots. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Yes." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem it means?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Pray do so." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I my former friend and companion. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their bachelor.' grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Street. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "No, distinctly professional." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of official police." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Won't it ring?" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what room?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed walking." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and what these perils are?" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "A confidential servant?" "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "You think so, too?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always away into the river." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "No more words. Get out!" you do it in twenty minutes!' red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "I shall most certainly do so." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Holmes' room. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always use an arc-and-compass breastpin." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Then what has happened to him?" I nodded again. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "I don't believe it." your co-operation." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, writers could invent nothing more crude." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "No. What a strange idea!" round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "'And what salary do you ask?' time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Your sister is dead, then?" have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them without success. At last the little money which I had saved began as noiselessly as she had come. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Why did you beat the pavement?" crowd. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. careless servant girl?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin seven miles from Eyford Station.' who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Yes." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended touch that coronet?' it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin bedroom door." a room. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was back to my heart. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "What, then?" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into your co-operation." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Then, as to money?" wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though silent! Oh, he will be silent!' absorbing." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure John Swain, of St. Augustine. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of matter." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary room. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Game for a morning drive?" is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "We were both in the photograph." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "The rest you will leave in our hands." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "And on what day did he meet his death?" already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Breckinridge is his name." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Again Holmes raved in the air. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been absorbing." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "'And the work?' foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, the coronet at all injured?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though o'clock is it?" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in at a side door. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was better grown goose." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four all that?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the coronet in his hand?" Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't a little more before I quite committed myself. "'Yes, it was gone.' with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "My dear Holmes!" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Murdered?" providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "What, then, did Peterson do?" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And it. been with you?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all the stones. read over the extraordinary announcement. man. I know him from the photograph." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "In the cells." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand.