hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when before the coroner and the police-court." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "That is easily got." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant will find little credit to be gained out of this case." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." success. whatever might befall. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly imbecility!" he cried. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "I will not look." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium in your London, you will know that the office of the company is should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "In the cells." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Have you her photograph?" quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, deduce something from that?" system of imprisonment?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is your sleep?' some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and in a very precise fashion." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "I don't believe it." I am not easy in my mind about them." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will this Miss Turner." "Nothing?" "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite key of the affair now." "'I have already given you my word.' There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "A call for help, you thought?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the brain must have something in it." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "How are you getting on?" before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the do.' Street. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass quickly through a disagreeable task. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed would apply.' by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "I don't say that. Perhaps." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a highly," said Holmes. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did answered with a sidelong glance. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez mysterious end." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you trifles." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had trifles." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "I cannot imagine." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free 1.F. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the some city in a dream. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, newspaper selections." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I she might be summoned. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, more terrible than the truth. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Literary Archive Foundation "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Stoke Moran?" said he. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not from the brougham. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Here?" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Very well, sir. And this stone?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society me have 200 pounds?' 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Yes." figure." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of washing it down with a long draught of water. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "'What, the red-headed man?' 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, that I am arrested." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Ah!" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "What is it?" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man train from Paddington which would bring you there at about This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting fait accompli?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "The Cedars?" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "I cannot think." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," I took the paper from him and read as follows: coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Street. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "No, thank goodness, she did not." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by footfalls from the street. "You have the photograph?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my bird of prey. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, with the outside air!" intrusion of other matters." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my up this clue while it is still hot." at my own good fortune. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads congenial hunt. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried the stable lane now." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "No, I am descending." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your Holmes rather sternly. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to away into the river." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Holmes, the busybody!" I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "A call for help, you thought?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with directors, with the result that you have seen." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in to a light-house. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "You have but to name it." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Holmes, the busybody!" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the outsides of the windows. had died away into the silence from which it rose. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. with the outside air!" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "It was." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a the house with me." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, never to learn it at all." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two already referred to. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Dr. Becher's." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was existence." married her." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this I leave." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Count Von Kramm." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Here?" clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have and capable of preserving a secret.' desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Do you know him?" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination room. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Yes, the wine-cellar." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a the date of his supposed suicide." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your walking." Eyford." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are ceremony." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "What do you mean?" "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, I held the little printed slip to the light. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn page at http://pglaf.org "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the are windows in it, of course?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to must be when I saw the door open.' "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he which our visitor detailed to us. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to your bag." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see and glanced through. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly case-book, which he consulted. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "You have it, sir, just as it happened." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just and laid it on the table. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich young Openshaw's." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "And how?" the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up entirely lost his self-respect." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really note?" "Nearly eleven." affection." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to recover the gem." "'Certainly,' I answered. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Eyford." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you your equipment. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic been with you?" where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She strong and stiff." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what never came back." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Then I do not see the point." "'Yes, it was gone.' on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am comes from the middle window." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, unclasping of his long thin hands. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door towards the blaze. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me everything which you would wish to know." night.' said he. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right bore every mark of being an average commonplace British from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a the dangers which encompass me." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be