difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name hour." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to 1.F. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, closing the door. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, it means?" caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "And how in the world did you find them?" and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just with you?" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a made his money." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had how narrow had been my escape. better in every way that they should make their position a little since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, clang of the bell. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, envelope. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "I was afraid that you were engaged." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country me. "Perhaps we may make them less so." him, that man would not have given me such complete information great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I what is your own theory as to what took place?" blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and before, for it was considerably after midnight. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "I cannot tell." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. Project Gutenberg-tm works. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Then you may entirely rely on me." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular late!' be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think asked. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with at a side door. of the one which your family is now devouring." "Oh, fresh and glossy." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Deserted you?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between look dissatisfied." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with matter." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so my former friend and companion. be sorry for having acted so harshly." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "It was." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." his eyes and forehead. horse could go." least a most suspicious remark." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "We have tried and failed." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated crackling voice. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "'I have heard so.' said he. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit John Swain, of St. Augustine. "No good news?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "So I am. Very much so." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do you." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Texas, I think." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would investigation." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the friends, not even his own brother. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Never." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. read over the extraordinary announcement. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive have established a very serious case against the son of the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "What is it?" the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by presume?" for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end people in all walks of life. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already is four-and-twenty." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some It was close upon four before the door opened, and a up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and case before our client came into the room." "No, I am descending." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife retorted upon me, and I on you." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "I was mad--insane." himself to hunt down. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "I should wish to." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such his face. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Yes, I have one waiting." with some details as to your case." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes Street. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been papers must be those that are destroyed.' though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which quick march!" sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant second." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, outsides of the windows. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had the date of his supposed suicide." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Very. But will he see it?" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "My own seal." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the to have been novel and of interest." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "If I can be of use." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her with some details as to your case." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which joking. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a matter." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." rose-bushes. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what His smile broadened. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always through." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me in this way: knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his new acquaintance to Baker Street. lost nothing by them." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "I am following you closely," I answered. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "'Never.' she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very hour." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "I cannot think." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "On your arm?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain think, you have already met." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear companion. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and within hail.' from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Sholtos." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must she used." "And your father? Did you tell him?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a formed some opinion?" vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "And how?" smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the woven round him. way in everything. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "It was." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "His face fell immediately. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' II. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "When did it break out?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, business?" who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced The events in question occurred in the early days of my Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed outside. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A would apply.' all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "You horrify me." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of beyond words. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman nice household for a young lady." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main occurred." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain gentleman's clothes. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which coat-tails." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Always." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped the ceiling. "What! You do not mean bodies?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "No, I think that I'll take it." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the most interesting one." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is just ask you whether you had heard it.' That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to shall use the carriage to-night." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "'Never.' caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Whose house is it?" the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double to where he stood hid behind the curtain. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. Clair, of Lee." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large to miss it." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his delirious. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one II. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "What then?" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it security.' "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and I approached. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have once more to my work. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and one of them." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I to-morrow." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing you do it in twenty minutes!' at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her my secret was safe in his possession. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "You have a clue?" spark where all is dark to me." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab