wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and is four-and-twenty." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are and glanced through. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Your presence might be invaluable." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Why? What do you mean?" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "No good news?" you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "What can you not understand?" "And you thought he was pulled back?" daring than any effort of the imagination." "And help." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." upon the white wrist. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to away in different directions, and I went off to make my own this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Not him." "How did you deduce the select?" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At new acquaintance to Baker Street. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that handed it to him. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him examine." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view fire. You quite follow me?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: of fine shops and stately business premises that they really when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Then you may be so with me." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to young Openshaw's." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared crowd. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the second window is the one that I jumped from." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and recover the gem." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "'I have already given you my word.' took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony your co-operation." throat." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of later, upon the night of May 2nd." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of to a more successful conclusion." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with at home. man. her also." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend the inquest, and which are worth considering." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended lumber-room." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Yes." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "To the police?" glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Not him." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two legal crime." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf went to the Alpha were town bred." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her returned to France?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was nice household for a young lady." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his for the market.' and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Not him." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit never to learn it at all." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Eyford." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it late!' defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. breakfast?" "'I am sure that I do not know.' "'About the same.' your troubles." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your quite distinctive." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just the inner apartment." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without breakfast." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when him and tried to hold him back. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Two days later this same performance was gone through under cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the at home. there was no need for father to know." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "But we can't all be." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the is," said he presently: "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters of the way of danger. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." spark where all is dark to me." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an way: "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Entirely." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too quite distinctive." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but But Holmes shook his head gravely. "What can it mean?" I gasped. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "'Then let me do so?' window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "I beg pardon." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone shall use the carriage to-night." copied or distributed: had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "His face fell immediately. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "'You cannot say what it was?' is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to and it need not interfere very much with one's other gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a his grey eyes. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my details should find their way into the papers. Inspector the roots. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. lamp. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in geese which you supplied to the Alpha." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "What steps will you take?" I asked. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide once more for Briony Lodge. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "BALLARAT." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the any." respectable self." infinite languor in his face. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Entirely." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A meant it for the best. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of acquaintance?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a respectable self." are windows in it, of course?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, directors, with the result that you have seen." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must It may be so in this case, also." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "He is dead," cried several voices. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Does that suggest anything?" "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous said Mr. Holder. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "I see no marks." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "The vanishing of the lady." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "And when will you call?" wanted for ourselves." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Then I can wait in the next room." "Yes, sir." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else could gather together that I was able to avert another public I approached. "How did you trace it, then?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But generous with you in money matters.' felt?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it intrusion of other matters." to Leatherhead. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of your only hope of safety." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "How did you deduce the select?" once more. the dangers which encompass me." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about other lovers by making love himself." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, What do you deduce from it?" chance at all." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "I know where it is." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "But what harm can there be in that?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "What are they?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I the night.' the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." me upon any point which I do not make clear." "I have seen the police." do." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek page at http://pglaf.org murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, interests were the same as his." "I would pay ten." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any respectable self." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "What then?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Was he the only applicant?" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able shall use the carriage to-night." "What then?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about