do.' it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "You have the photograph?" in the dead of the night?' "So it appears." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Never." one which it was hard to resist. "No." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what from you?" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much forecastle of an emigrant ship. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was His smile broadened. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. miles off. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the date of his supposed suicide." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Your presence might be invaluable." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with Street. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "'As governess?' "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of absorbing." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Very truly yours, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may their singular warning or token before them when starting upon it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the to me. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "'Stolen!' he cried. "Deserted you?" "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Of what day?" at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about things are very often connected not with the larger but with the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, emerged. how narrow had been my escape. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical to where he stood hid behind the curtain. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much little trying to do so much typewriting?" Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "'Yes, sir.' bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. shoulder. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Dirty?" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Witness: It was. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham better in every way that they should make their position a little was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Entirely." His smile broadened. opportunities to fix the problem. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it address. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. only touch the interest." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found of note-paper. It read in this fashion: about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Certainly." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my asked with his eyes open. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have sneer upon his pale face. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. ago." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to morning." "Entirely." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "A client, then?" interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "It's nothing of the kind." one which it was hard to resist. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Yes, but only for you and me." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "I don't believe it." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, morning." begun to whiten, even as mine has." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "It is his hat." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father vault. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "And how did you verify them?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Entirely." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to the roots. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I enter Dr. Roylott's room." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her and it need not interfere very much with one's other cause to be." and all of them with the keenest interest. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who arms and began to sob in a high treble key. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own things are very often connected not with the larger but with the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' whatever might befall. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other sentimental considerations in the background which would induce you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "'Ten to two.' despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "In which, sir?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was their singular warning or token before them when starting upon edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four interested in these little problems, and since you are good Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "How did that help you?" "Yes, sir." again." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Cross for the Continent." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "None." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the we went to search for him, face downward in a little shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too dead, shall be safe with us." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "'As governess?' one or two very singular points about this room. For example, believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "What, then?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for assist you in forming an opinion." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it had picked up in the wood. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we have an American origin." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father interest. They are important, you understand, without being could go. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing burst out into a roar of laughter. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to key of the affair now." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings been." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who and put his glass in his pocket. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, was already answered. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "But not more so than I to find you." "And what then?" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, chill to my heart. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage newspaper selections." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination fled together." waste of energy." "It surprised me." think that any burglar could have done. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable mystery may be cleared along those lines." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a that you saw all that I did." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice them?" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other bachelor.' once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "I was sure that I might rely on you." "So I am. Very much so." footfalls from the street. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Stolen." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "And it is--" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my obstinate." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your in him." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Yes." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "You saw the ventilator, too?" business came to an end." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about enter into my head. morning." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You me what he had done with the three missing stones. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "No." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but which we had just quitted. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. the matter?" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Why did you pick him?" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' was not a bird to be seen there. an introduction to him?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been giving me time to thank him. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began lumber-room." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Never." I have it here in my museum." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the into the bag, and made for the door. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "I think that it is very probable." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he golden eyeglasses. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "What can you not understand?" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "I never have." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been my little problems." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "But what is it you wish?" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Yes?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of that he has suffered." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "It surprised me." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "It is very clear." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady than was visible to me." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no call it cruel." "It is true that I have been generally successful." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "To an end?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. is now desirous of getting those letters back." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "I fear not." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and during that time.' daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Yes." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds kindly on the shoulder. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before when you have done it." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the his wife has ceased to love him." is four-and-twenty." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the never to learn it at all." made his money." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "But your client--" something of him before." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few trying to your nerves." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not gone before you can get him to hospital." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "10th. John Swain cleared. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, said he. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here was lame." "Witness: It was. wedding?" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and really the only notable feature about the thing." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "I answered that I had not. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get was it brought him the coronet? advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "It missed him, then?" already referred to. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the