presented which may be striking and bizarre without being showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." him to go away.' Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was than to us. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "I cannot think." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to question. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look recover the gem." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here read it out to me." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. I held the little printed slip to the light. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two of this gang." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." society." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing within hail.' Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, said he. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock jewels which you have stolen?' ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "I beg pardon." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the http://gutenberg.net/license). We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he quickly through a disagreeable task. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. was keenly on my guard against him. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it it right.' "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less is a common subject for conversation. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Just look it up, then." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." own family. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than American. Then who could this American be, and why should he very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me the inquest, and which are worth considering." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Stolen." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "My last client of the sort was a king." "I guessed as much." there!' "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. character. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "When did it break out?" second window is the one that I jumped from." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be stepfather?" the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. and laid it on the table. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if make me his representative both with the servants and with the judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, British peeress.'" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in awaited us upon the table. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "I was mad--insane." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted fluttered off among the others. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. place of silver." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My seven miles from Eyford Station.' alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. this Miss Turner." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' the address that was given us in the advertisement. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before village inn over there?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. comes from the middle window." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the that I can to serve you." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a you came in." my room." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle have established a very serious case against the son of the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "I was afraid that you were engaged." have I gained?" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." sneer upon his pale face. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to your own bird, so if you wish--" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently carried out of court." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "I will try. What is it?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, strength of mind to control. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "In what way?" asked Holmes. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I emerged. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of to you." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air power." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "'Yes, sir.' the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." in darkness. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." said I. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "We must sit without light. He would see it through the over with notes and figures. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "I cannot tell." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I strange features which were associated with the two crimes which yet." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a past. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with this unhappy family?" I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an impression behind it as though a window had gently closed beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." be sorry for having acted so harshly." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for awkward doing business with an alias." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From to-night." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I you came in." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the have one." fatally injured? "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has himself to hunt down. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few within hail.' didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't Gutenberg-tm License. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which States. reach." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is You can understand that this register and diary may implicate discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near yet." "Have you her photograph?" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my she has been waylaid. There has been no result." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the of them has the shutters up.' papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" enter into my head. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped annoyance, but no jest. that you wished to speak to me?' are windows in it, of course?" "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "None." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his for securing the situation." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in other, as fresh and trim as possible. than was visible to me." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." forehead. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Munro.' until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "What are they?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the voice, changing her seat as requested. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have a room. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out chemical work which was so dear to him. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may nothing with him." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Yes." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not developed." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window is four-and-twenty." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching not come at once?" any." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a might help us?" upon the white wrist. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "We were both in the photograph." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the what is your own theory as to what took place?" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself whether it answered to the description of any of their where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Well, but China?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "I am armed." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; see me here to avoid scandal." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "It looks newer than the other things?" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." at once, for I have only half an hour." hurried by. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "My dear Holmes!" characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "And Miss Sutherland?" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "What?" Holmes' thin, eager face. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Pray tell us what has happened to you." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I instincts rose up against that laugh. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as to his chemical studies. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was sake, don't!" list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was indiscretion." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us noting anything else of interest. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Whose house is it?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "And what did you learn from him?" his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per words came to my lips. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "'And the work?' through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "And Miss Sutherland?" "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Yes. He waved his hands." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or taking in every detail of the apartment. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "'You cannot say what it was?' Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was suddenly upon us." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered in the dead of the night?' the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt fattened it expressly for you.' "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. should be taken.' believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "He is dead," cried several voices. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up death." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Lestrade of Scotland Yard." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "And leave your case unfinished?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how letters?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you that you saw all that I did." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been out of this horrible affair."