the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a attention." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy husband's writing, madam." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "No, I am descending." delighted to hear it," he said. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. him to go away.' "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Then how many are there?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Who by?" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' a very grave face. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the face and glided from the room. future lives." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all good for you to do.' lamp in his hand. have got?" entirely devoid of interest." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "What office?" "Then you may be so with me." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit fire. You quite follow me?" waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. in the dead of the night?' "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's directly by questioning you." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door despaired of." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than that he has suffered." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Your presence might be invaluable." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "'There is a drive, then?' awaited us upon the table. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So generous with you in money matters.' "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Yes, but only for you and me." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to kind enough to tell me what I should do." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet you." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted locked. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's look dissatisfied." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "You know me, then?" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! had no one to advise her at such a crisis." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the excitement. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a The events in question occurred in the early days of my and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever of the vacancies.' and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small said Mr. Holder. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had II. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was whole matter to your consideration." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue opened a pocket-book and took out a note. ways of our fellow-men." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me companion imperturbably. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "And for present expenses?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 bare slabs of marble. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at head. So long, then!" whatever might befall. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the highroad, where all traces were lost. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been least a most suspicious remark." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "I have hopes." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "And Miss Sutherland?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, your co-operation." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Nothing." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the within hail.' partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City lumber-room." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "I was sure that I might rely on you." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Perhaps I have." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so any more." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first I approached. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter and the whole place is in a blaze." For additional contact information: I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, in a very precise fashion." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Yes." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Holmes' thin, eager face. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises made him keep the appointment." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. man. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said and wait." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "It missed him, then?" "You have a clue?" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "It is very clear." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "I assure you that I am in your hands." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall that he has suffered." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my towards the blaze. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them compunction about shooting them down." "But to whom?" the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Certainly." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "It is very clear." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. nothing of it?" rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. London for the present?" jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the client, rising. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Really! You surprise me." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "I guessed as much." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave to his chemical studies. "I cannot say that I have." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Always." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever your co-operation." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by again on its way. chance at all." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and always that they were such commands as a lady might with cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and brandy and water within his reach. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "'What then?' I asked. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' are windows in it, of course?" Cross for the Continent." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear as yours." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "I don't say that. Perhaps." "But you can know nothing of this?" "'I have heard so.' tension within him. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to heavy and sharp instrument." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel have one." congenial hunt. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be here." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Ah, but I was recommended to you." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the hair?' what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "'Yes, sir.' It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "You were travelling in the States?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "'Certainly,' I answered. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a see a sister of mine apply for." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself dear old homesteads?" have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to and the church but not where the lady lived." and it need not interfere very much with one's other the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my charge against him will break down." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Then I can wait in the next room." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "And it is--" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, Mrs. Toller serenely. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to are, and they are waiting for us." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room then?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." that I may have something better before very many minutes are indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "It came here." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own politicians who had been sent down from the North. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point prisoner's face. through." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Whose house is it?" call for it in person on Monday morning.' corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers upon the sideboard." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Quite so." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What relief. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I of campaign. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some your co-operation." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most once more on the important position which you have been fortunate my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. acted in my house last night?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." empty. mysterious end." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous observed. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the certainly not very gracious." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a him nearly every evening." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "A greater distance to travel." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective;