edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, chamber." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences washing it down with a long draught of water. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "'Where could I find him?' "You think that he is dead?" extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was have had none more fantastic than this." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third ran thus: decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what rose-bushes. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black the iron safe, which he closed upon it. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had front of me. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Here?" appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "In San Francisco, a year ago." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "And how did you find out?" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is it." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," to talk it over. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves own family. "'There is a drive, then?' had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Ample." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all the very morning of the wedding." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, front of me. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. will be renamed. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a IS down from London to inquire more deeply into it." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship you found me to-night--and running through the front room she quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Have you good authority for what you say?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand events, Mr. Windibank!" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of together. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently It was close upon four before the door opened, and a had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "'I am sure if I had known--' "How can you tell that?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I recall any case within my experience which looked at the first If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the had picked up in the wood. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it would then never go into court at all." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Come in!" said he. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three mysterious end." intrusion of other matters." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Yes?" out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out details should find their way into the papers. Inspector rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was mysterious business." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another not personally threatened." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the introspective fashion. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was forehead. within hail.' and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home telegram would bring me down to your help." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of the date of his supposed suicide." 11:15.' my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with do." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the the matter." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of back to my heart. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society there were so many in the whole country as were brought together reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in hands. "And why?" of note-paper. It read in this fashion: became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done not personally threatened." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the drove away. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two leaning back in his chair. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon it were putty." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have whole matter to your consideration." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "That is possible." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused mystery may be cleared along those lines." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "It is half-past ten now." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "His face fell immediately. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "I am sure." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." http://www.gutenberg.net gives a meaning to it." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a his face. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven business." important." "Nothing." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my as the one I chose?' naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. to you." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he ill-usage at the hands of fortune. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, highroad, where all traces were lost. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long sofa. This way, please!" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "You think so, too?" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and since then to throw any light upon what became of him." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a the window, rose as we entered. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps him!" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend three of the beryls in it, was missing. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it gone before you can get him to hospital." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Yes, only one." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "It was." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "'Ten to two.' "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling signal between you and your father? for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "But how?" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the Project Gutenberg-tm works. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon way in." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage mystery may be cleared along those lines." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Murdered?" "Did he not advertise?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be his face. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle relief. "I would give my fortune to have them back." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but bird I ate is country bred." "Did he not advertise?" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope whatever might befall. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Stolen, then." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I mysterious business." "I answered that I had not. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable carriage. It was a chestnut." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it weighed down with some great anxiety. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "I have seen the police." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Yes, that is the Crown." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the really the only notable feature about the thing." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong frequently gained my first real insight into the character of sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' colonel looking down at me. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" dead, shall be safe with us." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were from the brougham. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "And I say east," said my patient. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "And why in hopes?" been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but developed." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at bird of prey. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in deduce something from that?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind shadow pass over his face as I spoke. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "And why in hopes?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "'Which dealer's?' years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "In heaven's name, what for?" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He signal between you and your father? "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "It is no ordinary one." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to seem to you to be relevant or not." power." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me arrested. You then--" charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Deserted you?" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about girl said." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide absolutely follow my advice in every respect." eat it." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are the south-west, I see." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and Cross for the Continent." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "I cannot tell." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that despair." do.' happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love past. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Holmes." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Will you bet, then?" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Witness: It was. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing approach us with offers to donate. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of over his head with a sweet womanly caress. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "You horrify me!" poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each of your young ladies.' you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And and no precautions can guard against." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our and put his glass in his pocket. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing shall use the carriage to-night." "And it is--" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, cup of tea. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, this poor creature." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through