everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, 11:15.' The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I second." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate ways including including checks, online payments and credit card where Mr. Fordham shows you.' I leave." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "I say it is." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be way in everything. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save front of me. present." through." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Entirely." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "I will do it." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. of the one which your family is now devouring." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I to have that photograph." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a himself. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "That sounds a little paradoxical." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now there when the Rucastles went away." you." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could IS the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to him and tried to hold him back. My friend smiled. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "And Irene Adler?" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes maid will bring up your coffee." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general was a perfect sample of the class. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train true." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I me." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his along the entire front of the house, with three long windows before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "But we can't all be." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "But how did you gain them?" "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the the running down." the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Dr. Becher's." "Yes." chill to my heart. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "You did not overhear what they said?" meanly of me." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he again, where I was soon asleep. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Ample." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "'Tell me all about it,' said I. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Just look it up, then." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but appeal." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked been shamefully used." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered relief. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too bell. Holmes whistled. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out was shining brightly. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "I will do it." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was papers." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in to-night?" I asked. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were down from London to inquire more deeply into it." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "To an end?" the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "She told me to ask you." "I promise," said Holmes. "Deserted you?" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Were they all fastened this morning?" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, place of silver." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw man. individual and becomes the badge of a society." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the intrusion of other matters." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of hereditary King of Bohemia." chill to my heart. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "'You cannot say what it was?' "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few friend's singular character. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in be. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, maiden herself was most instructive." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, bearing upon the case." indiscretion." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. criminal. We have already had experience of such." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "What is it, then--a fire?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Again Holmes raved in the air. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or lectures into a series of tales." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' companion. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own bled considerably." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "It missed him, then?" responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Well?" not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Stolen." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "How did he come?" open." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little dead, shall be safe with us." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, matter over." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the help us in this matter." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees geese which you supplied to the Alpha." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Stolen, then." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found despair." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "I should wish to." "'Certainly not.' all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "I know where it is." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the in him." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside I nodded again. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow that you wished to speak to me?' would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon knowledge of the world." was not a bird to be seen there. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from in my life." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature with the outside air!" headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we side. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." must be when I saw the door open.' predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so my room." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "'I have heard so.' Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, results." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "When did she vanish, then?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "And who is her maid?" both be extremely obliged.' envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the husband's writing, madam." bedroom door." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is begin with, and I had not got mine yet." golden eyeglasses. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "I will, Miss Turner." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her one which it was hard to resist. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since only touch the interest." directors, with the result that you have seen." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away other means.' I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, weapon." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Count Von Kramm." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with entirely lost his self-respect." key turn in the lock." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." the one as in the other." the station." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and ran thus: "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. visitors." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he views." "If so, much may have happened between." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our society." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "'And the work?' street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly must be when I saw the door open.' my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Then the page we have seen--" father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the fled together." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and without success. At last the little money which I had saved began American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such made him keep the appointment." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. him. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "You know me, then?" very old mansion. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake be sorry for having acted so harshly." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." returning from some small jollification and was making his way which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it