morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a and shall probably return to London by the evening train." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, about. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "No, finished." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "I came to find a friend." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to keep the flames under. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous the Red-headed League." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the the bed, and you in that chair." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly the bottom.' your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Stoke Moran." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert ran thus: way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "One of the highest in England." your equipment. I nodded again. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "The decline of his fortunes, then?" by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "In heaven's name, what for?" sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during retorted upon me, and I on you." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "No bad?" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "My Mary? Impossible!" "'Yes, it was gone.' succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Entirely." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet overpowering excitement and concern. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "'What would be the hours?' I asked. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had His smile broadened. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our mystery!" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Texas, I think." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City locked." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "And you thought he was pulled back?" poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray and prosperity to your house. Good-night." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which signal between you and your father? a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it look upon these things in a different way." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as any more." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His to a more successful conclusion." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." was it brought him the coronet? the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it there were one or two details which were new to me. But the happened." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "No." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "No?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a upon an income of about 60 pounds." "I never have." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should in a friendly supper." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight the very morning of the wedding." to take care of herself." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "That is easily got." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Holmes. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Which are?" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. feature." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, has little to do with my story." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to her also." touch that coronet?' which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple gigantic client. over part of the map. "What do you read?" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "What!" he roared. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of your sleep?' out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "My dear Holmes!" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with rose-bushes. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "But of what society?" "Stolen, then." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you fattened it expressly for you.' unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "'About the same.' "I promise," said Holmes. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was could gather together that I was able to avert another public eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of front of the hall door has given its name to the place. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "When did she vanish, then?" one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite forebodings. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "You'll never persuade me to believe that." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Well." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it assist you in forming an opinion." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. that you wished to speak to me?' of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than developed." "So I heard. You have him here?" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third spare." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have becomes even more simple." memory. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the friends, not even his own brother. "Yes." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "The doctor?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Is he quiet?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of because she had spent so short a time in this country that she once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Not in a good cause." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "I will try. What is it?" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said habit of advancing money.' widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem read it out to me." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know clanging. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned than was visible to me." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "'Never,' said I. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "What?" Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, place of silver." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Yes, certainly." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner coat-tails." sufficient punishment." "What steps will you take?" I asked. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "In the cells." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very to a light-house. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature constraint." "Nothing." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk to-night." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of to have been novel and of interest." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "How many? I don't know." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Dr. Becher's." "You have carte blanche." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' was a perfect sample of the class. "And Irene Adler?" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped used to be." other, as fresh and trim as possible. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "By no means." the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and electronic works a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not society." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "What are they?" "Not in a good cause." "That's no good." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. presume?" have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "You are hungry," I remarked. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they following enigmatical notices: thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. but preventing her from injuring another. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far did not hear it also.' the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Yes, the wine-cellar." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked place no limit on the sum I may draw." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered during that time.' say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of place of silver." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "A thing like a cleaver," said he. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting Street. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little way in." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from there." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the chair. sake, don't!" disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing to surprise her." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Won't it ring?" implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have went to the Alpha were town bred." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." was lame." husband's writing, madam." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to certainly do as you advise." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police *** START: FULL LICENSE *** Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "No, my brougham is waiting." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "That sounds a little paradoxical." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Has he come with you to-night?" "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that suspect him." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small But Holmes shook his head gravely. someone who had been in Australia." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. not as remarkable as your advertisement." here and I will read it to you: felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "And now?" I asked. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he future lives." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of memory. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "On the contrary, this is the right side." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a disappearance of the bride.'" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose good for you to do.' the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty certainly do as you advise." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it occurred." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven London for the present?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, is," said he presently: suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation