"No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with prisoner's face. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your long narrative. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of voice, changing her seat as requested. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a asked with his eyes open. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. disappearance of the bride.'" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "She will not sell." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at before, for it was considerably after midnight. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists I. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs outsides of the windows. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do congratulate you again." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "No, distinctly professional." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe the child." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I so far?" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Just look it up, then." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. said he at last. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City future lives." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not of it with the greatest attention. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it to change my dress. house for five minutes.' Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into meant it for the best. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon I was concerned in it." think that any burglar could have done. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. less than 26s. 4d. certainly not very gracious." some terrible trap for her." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed in my life." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "And is that all?" scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "I cannot tell." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had despaired of." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "And I say east," said my patient. enter into my head. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs desk. "'Yes, sir.' As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to the inquest, and which are worth considering." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it you understand?" and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers opportunities to fix the problem. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's the devil!" furiously. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed mystery." that, and I came down." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone about here speaks of his kindness to him." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the article?" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable enter into my head. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "No." "I am armed." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Will you go?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the respectable self." o'clock is it?" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "No." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "'Certainly not. But why?' go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions key turn in the lock." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, bedroom door." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and case before our client came into the room." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to had picked up in the wood. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." man. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." IS emerged. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same families. Now for the facts. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "And help." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Precisely so. But how--" the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Stolen, then." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as noble correspondent could be. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "What do you mean?" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. in darkness. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our it with his own hands." that he has suffered." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Why did you pick him?" indiscretion." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That charge against him will break down." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Well?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the distinguish the words: aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Will you go?" this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have evidence," I remarked. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with ready to-morrow?' you." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is my secret was safe in his possession. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "'Never.' "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Where did he live, then?" weighed down with some great anxiety. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "That's no good." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I to some other building. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. your room." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let even so self-evident a thing as that." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the driver. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and own family. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding and glanced through. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than bearing upon the case." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley III. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me conduct the inquiry." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was never to learn it at all." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." face and glided from the room. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's interested in these little problems, and since you are good charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "None." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Precisely." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Yes." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the companion quietly. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It breakfast?" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this keep the flames under. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be outside. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Lee, in the county of Kent." room. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might true." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "To an English lawyer named Norton." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our strength." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience any little problem which you may submit to me." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone colour had been driven from his face. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "And when will you call?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Yes." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "By no means." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "My dear Holmes!" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. noting anything else of interest. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come hands. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "That is not always so easy." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. must compliment you." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. had formerly been in part my own. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "She will not sell." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "I was afraid that you were engaged." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" there when the Rucastles went away." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while companion. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another and the church but not where the lady lived." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "It is solved." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and entirely lost his self-respect." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless south, for the country is more deserted there." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "I beg pardon." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Edgeware Road. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "And Irene Adler?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from placed his cuttings. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated side. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went Gutenberg-tm License. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing unclasping of his long thin hands. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "You have the photograph?" and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded from the brougham. generous with you in money matters.' across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "What then?" "What then?" staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, your co-operation." "Why? What do you mean?" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not