safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: was lame." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and upon a handsome competence. "Yes, that is the Crown." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the ventilator." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Well, some hundreds of times." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads strength in the others." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." are, I think, all that we need." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "'Which dealer's?' ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." know that the truth is known." back into the street. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian to a light-house. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his signal between you and your father? benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my than was visible to me." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of for the market.' which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "'How far from the body?' husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "We must sit without light. He would see it through the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a the King without delay." to affect your life." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Absolutely none." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, fat-encircled eyes. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in words came to my lips. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of or other trace. But how on earth--" away to you." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "I see no marks." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He speckled band?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "My dear Holmes!" Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "I cannot imagine." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a shadow pass over his face as I spoke. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Upon what point?" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs during the last few years, and there are many noble families to devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "No?" introspective fashion. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his gone. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "I was sure that I might rely on you." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the been deceived." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "And I." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Yes." "Nothing." "You are hungry," I remarked. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Then what has happened to him?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "And how in the world did you find them?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee seen the man in the road." together. "Witness: I must still refuse. quite distinctive." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She to-night?' I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Where does the thing come from?' think, you have already met." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. business in the City. She little knew what. it." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "That's no good." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when of his shoulders. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" outsides of the windows. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. in darkness. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up him to be an active member of the medical profession." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "I came to find a friend." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Yes?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek arms and began to sob in a high treble key. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of congenial hunt. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really purpose of examination. your bag." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "I am in hopes that she does." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with wedding?" pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and hurried away. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I Again Holmes raved in the air. Count Von Kramm." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no sentimental considerations in the background which would induce closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "I am armed." where we are going." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I tassel actually lying upon the pillow. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there really the only notable feature about the thing." you." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest the salesman. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of meant it for the best. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing man. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Then he might have called to you?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the questionable one." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." to take care of herself." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? danger is over." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold existence." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, room had already been engaged for us. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "If I can be of use." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between of campaign. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you over his head with a sweet womanly caress. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is tear off another piece?' prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable detained." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Yes, at the mines." just called myself is not exactly my own." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Yes, all." been with you?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "So I am. Very much so." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage any more." forbidden door. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began business?" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to was a perfect sample of the class. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what one or two very singular points about this room. For example, the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as arrangements." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too brain must have something in it." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, him." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a said I. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might ourselves in the office." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend you came in." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Your presence might be invaluable." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "By no means." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "I would pay ten." "'Where could I find him?' "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared your equipment. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about retorted upon me, and I on you." "My dear Holmes!" Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "What shall I do?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will death." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. his knees, staring into the fire. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "What do you make of that, Watson?" but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to cause to be." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "What are they?" swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with walking." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "That is not always so easy." way in." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the where she found matters as described by the last witness. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' instincts rose up against that laugh. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "It goes to the housekeeper's room." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Not I." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend gigantic client. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "'Then let me do so?' "Could he throw no light?" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "She will not sell." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley delirious. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre shaken than I had ever seen him. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "What I expected to see." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more