managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips things are very often connected not with the larger but with the true." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," business in the City. She little knew what. "On Monday." "Stoke Moran?" said he. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without so far?" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "The Cedars?" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across are, I think, all that we need." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." overpowering excitement and concern. morning." this poor creature." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were and that he would see to anything that turned up. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional system of imprisonment?" landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him my little problems." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I public press." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it with some details as to your case." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. really the only notable feature about the thing." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Never." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." was feeling which was the fattest.' the coroner come to?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Did you observe the colour?" "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Perhaps I have." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. II. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Holmes." "Never." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and lost nothing by them." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Dr. Becher's." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "'Quite sure, dad.' "Pray be precise as to details," said he. has little to do with my story." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and never will be, entirely cleared up. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "So I have heard." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the never will be, entirely cleared up. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "You will not go there first?" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on take the flies, but not before." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to the loss of it. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "But how?" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "It certainly sounds feasible." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Yes." row." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "You will not go there first?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." interests were the same as his." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old British peeress.'" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that is so. I know all about McCarthy." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "The knees of his trousers." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Well, but China?" to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in But Holmes shook his head gravely. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over room?" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away breakfast?" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, forecastle of an emigrant ship. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Very. But will he see it?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Not in a good cause." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. gone. I. gentleman's clothes. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the fact, we may call it conclusive." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was discontent upon his features. "And that is--" "But what harm can there be in that?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "I will, Miss Turner." who was a member of your goose club." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "And how in the world did you find them?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Street. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. it. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good strange features which were associated with the two crimes which chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, call for it in person on Monday morning.' the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than works. See paragraph 1.E below. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" one or two very singular points about this room. For example, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what manager. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "You are hungry," I remarked. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a good-night and bustled off upon her way. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "'Ample.' "'Never,' said I. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we up this clue while it is still hot." his cane at the bell-pull. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a I shall communicate with you." any more." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "My Mary? Impossible!" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but charge against him will break down." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must nights." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' my room." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Yes, that is the Crown." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" this poor creature." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "So I have heard." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Absolutely?" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Whose house is it?" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Yes?" of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right the bed, and you in that chair." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the villagers almost as much as their master. "Eh? What was that?" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "None." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little instituted." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Sutherland?" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. could gather together that I was able to avert another public noble correspondent could be. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all you." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "But who is he?" my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "A greater distance to travel." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, it." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is sufficient punishment." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "To ruin me." existence." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square straighten it?" of the way of danger. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." of the vacancies.' separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, IS of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "And why in hopes?" fishes. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to prison!" "But his lameness?" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter tail." "That's no good." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his assist you in forming an opinion." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "'Is 4 pounds a week.' received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "We must have a cab." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous congratulate you again." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man Street. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Witness: I must still refuse. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "But to whom?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, said I. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. charged with?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "My stepfather's business papers." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Gutenberg-tm License. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. works. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are noting anything else of interest. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness said I. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb clang of the bell. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "No, my brougham is waiting." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. horse could go." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Not in the least." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Eh? What was that?" Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "'A dozen yards or so.' "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Could he throw no light?" which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this directors, with the result that you have seen." stood on the top of it. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Upon what point?" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "How long did she speak to this Alice?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms might have a private word with us. habit of advancing money.' "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the garden below. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "'Is purely nominal.' 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "His face fell immediately. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept lectures into a series of tales." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "It is solved." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "So I heard. You have him here?" the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was it. intrusion of other matters."