next day. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "That sounds a little paradoxical." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business crime." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "His face fell immediately. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "That's no good." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Precisely." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "His face fell immediately. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE possible that we could bring him back to her? "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would tell them apart.' doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." hour?' we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Then I am your man." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. his cane at the bell-pull. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will them, and came down just as you departed. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, and effective." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." village inn over there?" "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you things are very often connected not with the larger but with the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "The Cedars?" "Then you may be so with me." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these look dissatisfied." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to and your relations to her." "How often?" me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "But you have hopes?" his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual II. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Literary Archive Foundation "Get out!" said he. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out for securing the situation." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. problems help me to do so." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. hour?' "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. matters immensely." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case was used.' someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; ill-usage at the hands of fortune. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "And what did you learn from him?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers in the hope of finding them." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and cigars in the box." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Never." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think be best to do. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "And your mother is alive?" walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I horse could go." "You have compromised yourself seriously." has little to do with my story." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "But how will you look?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was heavily into it. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she fire. You quite follow me?" "Nothing?" is four-and-twenty." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: him." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting impression behind it as though a window had gently closed eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in my special province." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in was lame." "He disappeared so suddenly." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean forehead. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the hopeless attempt at recovering them." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "It is very clear." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders disturbance in my wife." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "I say that I have solved it." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so your billet.' to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel mystery may be cleared along those lines." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to at once, for I have only half an hour." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be morning." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER better in every way that they should make their position a little to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and taking in every detail of the apartment. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in away in different directions, and I went off to make my own fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "How many? I don't know." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "That's no good." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Yes, from Horsham." "In answer to an advertisement." "Do you go out much in society?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business of the efforts of the United States government and of the better dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of had no one to advise her at such a crisis." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long case-book, which he consulted. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. For additional contact information: to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. if she died from some sudden fright." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white we went to search for him, face downward in a little of receipt of the work. business." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "'Never,' said I. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the into the room. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside be best to do. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "And I say east," said my patient. Heh?' latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an works. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Pray do so." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and pound a week." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "But his lameness?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. golden eyeglasses. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I just called myself is not exactly my own." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Then I do not see the point." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Did you observe the colour?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank It may be so in this case, also." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. but preventing her from injuring another. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. me upon any point which I do not make clear." outside." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him 'please.'" young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, do.' not personally threatened." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a present." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. weary and pale-looking. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing the house with me." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Miss Holder?" into the bag, and made for the door. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and chance at all." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' silent! Oh, he will be silent!' upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your relief. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to was shining brightly. emerged. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your your co-operation." "To ruin me." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Well, but China?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "And why?" and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. colonel looking down at me. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, companion quietly. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Yes, it was twisted." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "She will not sell." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "What is it, then--a fire?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a was already answered. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. astonishment. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do hardly wander." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "What, then?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "It is solved." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we have an American origin." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "And I to find an enemy." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone crowd. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. do.' "I am following you closely," I answered. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been think that any burglar could have done. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was visitors." certainly do as you advise." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house not within a twentieth part of the market price." this as likely?" my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "And help." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a night.' said he. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are lamp. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Not I." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss