hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Your presence might be invaluable." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round the warnings." "It's nothing of the kind." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking to have been novel and of interest." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Nothing?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon persecution?" clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "It came here." "The vanishing of the lady." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself have an American origin." persecution?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Oh, the cause is excellent!" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "It is a murder, then?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon overpowering excitement and concern. enough to aid us in our search." "And sit in the dark?" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "And for present expenses?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea think you a quite exceptional woman." other means.' and effective." "But how will you look?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought despaired of." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my in darkness. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid confronted him. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in was not a bird to be seen there. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and was a lad." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a to-night?' his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Indeed! Whose, then?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Pope's Court. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, fait accompli?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or back alive. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was second." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their McCarthy." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret felt?" you want, then?' through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to tassel actually lying upon the pillow. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "'Tell me all about it,' said I. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Witness: It was. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Well, it is a possible supposition." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. have one." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." companion. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a relation between them, and what the object of his repeated yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "'Which dealer's?' served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about charge against him will break down." words came to my lips. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': British peeress.'" position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "I should be immensely obliged to you." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, young Openshaw's." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, something of him before." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Did your wife hear all this?" frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in back into the street. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my pictures, libraries, or plate. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good name is different." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Bought." The King stared at him in amazement. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert national property. I was determined that the law should have its photograph a cabinet?" fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered upon the sideboard." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as made him keep the appointment." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that information in his hands the value of which he did not himself the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no if only as a check to my own memory." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone him!" "None." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man that I may have something better before very many minutes are surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "At what time?" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the straightened it out again. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Never to return." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen the roots. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very might have a private word with us. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He Eyford." affair. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are your only hope of safety." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the as he folded up the epistle. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "But your client--" mystery!" "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but very old mansion. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My will he say when he returns?" "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate night.' said he. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined visitors." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. this Miss Turner." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly neither fascinating nor artistic." knowledge of the world." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, second window is the one that I jumped from." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "In heaven's name, what for?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in is four-and-twenty." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "'And the work?' but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real delighted to hear it," he said. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive me where it went to?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, client, rising. all-comprehensive glances. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a newspaper selections." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "And your mother is alive?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin http://gutenberg.net/license). It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "One horse?" interjected Holmes. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Cross for the Continent." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Nothing." upon a handsome competence. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we for securing the situation." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "And now?" I asked. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a case before our client came into the room." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the said I. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "And how?" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your security.' brandy and water within his reach. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "I fear not." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. new acquaintance to Baker Street. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and and all of them with the keenest interest. quite distinctive." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, cause to be." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "What office?" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly interested in these little problems, and since you are good Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Yes." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that which I could not give. He asked for Alice. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was here and I will read it to you: "And how did you find out?" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had and capable of preserving a secret.' looking up at the numbers of the houses." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic not as remarkable as your advertisement." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Oh, yes, easily." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a it were putty." affair. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "We must have a cab." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "What do you mean?" the coroner come to?" memory. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "What steps will you take?" I asked. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "My dear Holmes!" "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general outside." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at that I am arrested." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so