me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they colonel looking down at me. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Then what has happened to him?" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it when you have done it." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He hard-headed British jury." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it of Fenchurch Street." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my is now desirous of getting those letters back." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he placed his cuttings. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "VIOLET HUNTER." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Was the window open?" "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. the dangers which encompass me." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, with frightened eyes at his accuser. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little will not take me long to tell. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Thank you. Pray proceed." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not article?" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours had picked up in the wood. "Why did you pick him?" shaken than I had ever seen him. the bed, and you in that chair." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out be best to do. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the appointment with me for six o'clock?" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "The King of Scandinavia." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "One of the highest in England." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "That you are never beaten." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry so.' he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, writers could invent nothing more crude." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, a suggestive one." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "It is very clear." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the help us in this matter." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "And why?" a monotonous occupation." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, means taking possession of that which another person has a prior than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the dates and names. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." who was a member of your goose club." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "And now?" He raised his hand. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "The rest you will leave in our hands." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a to talk it over. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but clang of the bell. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the me. You must get home instantly and act." "Precisely so. But how--" impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been pressing in one house as in another. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that to affect your life." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. you do it in twenty minutes!' "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open tell me that you intended to go into harness." "None." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as relation between them, and what the object of his repeated As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "No, my brougham is waiting." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off to surprise her." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed passage and a tap at the door. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "What!" he roared. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. notes," he said. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his walking." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Pray do so." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there situation." "An enemy?" Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "No, I had a dozen." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it answered with a sidelong glance. is worth.' "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Was your sister dressed?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a arrested. You then--" "Yes, I have one waiting." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the out." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "No legal papers or certificates?" upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the more solid." "None." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the said I. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To to affect your life." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one fatally injured? with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into started for the Temple to see my husband. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the way in." you." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, hour." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter what do you think they found in the pockets?" the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. fatally injured? platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "And why?" keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, noble correspondent could be. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He will be renamed. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Project Gutenberg-tm works. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "BALLARAT." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right this unhappy family?" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots miles off. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and before, for it was considerably after midnight. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock families. Now for the facts. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "None." himself in a perplexing position. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "This photograph!" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress question. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, himself to tell his story. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Count Von Kramm." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must better in every way that they should make their position a little "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "I cannot imagine." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Because he was handy and would come cheap." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the stalked out of the room. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the have an American origin." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it upon an income of about 60 pounds." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "None. Neville wrote those words." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but had a long day." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "I am about to be married." for the market.' hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "I have come for advice." is a common subject for conversation. "I never have." and no precautions can guard against." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "None." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "How did he come?" fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when think that he is innocent?" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of about here speaks of his kindness to him." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Upon what point?" mystery." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Not particularly." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough the stones. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "At what time?" boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the will be renamed. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the and I shall be with you presently." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter cost them two and thirty pounds." "Which are?" rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret ways of our fellow-men." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his newspaper selections." of them has the shutters up.' her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural voice. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of depend upon my doing so.' faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "What are they?" were wasted." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Munro.' "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Nothing?" answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the that what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "It certainly sounds feasible." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "'Which dealer's?' disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Come in!" said Holmes. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "What office?" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with garden below. union?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. whole matter to your consideration." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Yes, only one." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "I was sure that I might rely on you." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem sparkled upon his finger. "What then?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural