"Then how many are there?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "I shall be delighted." "And what then?" goes." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "I have solved it." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on instituted." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though said he at last. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a it." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "I cannot as yet see any connection." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that late!' sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time him!" relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the society." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of recall any case within my experience which looked at the first relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door writing, and yet I know it well." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "'Tell me all about it,' said I. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Eh? What was that?" Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "How on earth--" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up just ask you whether you had heard it.' must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his nice household for a young lady." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a wedding?" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "So it appears." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." followed. purpose equally well?" explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "I never have." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, have been better. It is all right." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near directors have had misgivings upon the subject." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open seem to you to be relevant or not." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very here." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "You were travelling in the States?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "And why?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "How on earth--" danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her best detective that ever lived. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel was feeling which was the fattest.' to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. said I. and glanced through. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush the inner apartment." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full kind enough to tell me what I should do." about here speaks of his kindness to him." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two in the dead of the night?' corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this directly by questioning you." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Yes, it was twisted." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There it with his own hands." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of had this final quarrel? solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such lumber-room." started for the Temple to see my husband. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "The doctor?" "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and bed dies. Does not that strike you?" noble correspondent could be. coroner's jury." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." straightened it out again. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Pray continue your narrative." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that and looked back. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to stepfather?" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "That sounds a little paradoxical." Edgeware Road. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the cigars in the box." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "No, I am descending." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." and the whole place is in a blaze." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long away to you." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Here?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no only touch the interest." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And tell them apart.' who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would there." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to paper in the air. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Yes, I have one waiting." them, and came down just as you departed. Serpentine Avenue. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at clanging. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "I think that it is very probable." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "I am still in the dark." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three would apply.' my room." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Arthur Conan Doyle went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Perhaps we may make them less so." bird of prey. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal the King without delay." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am situation." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel politicians who had been sent down from the North. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just the room while you explain this matter?" there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect rooms." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I said he, "my real name is James Ryder." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and there when the Rucastles went away." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' lumber-room." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I My friend smiled. "Well?" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the there when the Rucastles went away." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless all that?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you me have 200 pounds?' "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "And why?" matter." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings it." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold absorbing." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "It certainly sounds feasible." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or cigar and let me expound." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," that before taking the final step I should like to submit the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his cigar and let me expound." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new The King stared at him in amazement. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly thin, with a long, sharp nose?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Yes." "I am following you closely," I answered. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy directors, with the result that you have seen." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer this poor creature." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" train from Paddington which would bring you there at about that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "'Stolen!' he cried. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "But to whom?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were wife's character?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Yes, he did." south, for the country is more deserted there." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are nonsense.' was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Not him." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Were they all fastened this morning?" "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until seem to you to be relevant or not." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, on in his house." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "What I expected to see." "And now?" He raised his hand. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "What then?" walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's bird of prey. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside clang of the bell. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, with you alone." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. heavy and sharp instrument." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I II. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Deserted you?"