beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, second window is the one that I jumped from." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the behind me. mystery may be cleared along those lines." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "'Certainly,' I answered. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not room?" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "So I heard. You have him here?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand room. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email examine." were unconscious?" strength of mind to control. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I depend upon my doing so.' new acquaintance to Baker Street. which it had come upon my father." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part upon an income of about 60 pounds." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "And Miss Sutherland?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. Cross for the Continent." suspect him." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "I have come for advice." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this best detective that ever lived. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. meant." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations what is your own theory as to what took place?" here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be that you wished to speak to me?' course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining very morning of my second wedding." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, side. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in strength." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." not come at once?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid never to learn it at all." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he to affect your life." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "What do you mean?" together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, with you?" actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make place no limit on the sum I may draw." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera hair?' the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away Street. never to learn it at all." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic standing smiling on the door-step. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really without a word or a look. if I call to-morrow?" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Stolen, then." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him key turn in the lock." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Dirty?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "She showed me, as I told you she would." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his directly by questioning you." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "I should be immensely obliged to you." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are drove away. have an American origin." "I cannot say that I have." "But how will you look?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Then he might have called to you?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the will take you up to see the machine.' "Whose house is it?" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was purpose of examination. "Well, but China?" naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple speckled band?" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she maiden herself was most instructive." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon presented which may be striking and bizarre without being little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its acted in my house last night?" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, nonsense.' Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her chamber." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. I have it here in my museum." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and his fortune, and I went back to pa. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face to a light-house. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said success. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his the devil!" "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Farm upon the left." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. must compliment you." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the purpose of examination. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Nothing?" in this way: 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at he. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Holmes." whereabouts. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his a few minutes he said that it would be all right. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable hereditary King of Bohemia." Pool. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying me." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure John Swain, of St. Augustine. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His the bed, and you in that chair." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Of what day?" have been better. It is all right." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. waste of energy." "Stolen, then." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was you." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I there were so many in the whole country as were brought together business in the City. She little knew what. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "I cannot imagine." to his chemical studies. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "No sign of it?" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how even of instruction." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted him and tried to hold him back. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him light and attacked it." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I outside." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which your billet.' "And from a noble client?" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your these bleak autumnal evenings." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this to arrive at through this?" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added on in his house." certainly do as you advise." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Pope's Court. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. into the bag, and made for the door. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments and all of them with the keenest interest. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "'What would be the hours?' I asked. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Did he not advertise?" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "But not more so than I to find you." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed guilty one." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most bill, which interests me deeply." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted remarked. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Ha! you find it so?" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman has little to do with my story." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Nothing?" down. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "And Miss Sutherland?" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself the very morning of the wedding." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with singular points about the case. What did the police think of the success. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked fasten all the windows?" "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his to take care of herself." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the October 9, 1890. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I presume?" better in every way that they should make their position a little "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a quick march!" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Serpentine Avenue. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that weighed down with some great anxiety. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There charge against him will break down." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William considering the formidable letters which were received by himself disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored fasten all the windows?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Arthur Conan Doyle without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." letters?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Well, it is a possible supposition." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door figure." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his all?" their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant weary and pale-looking. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and tassel actually lying upon the pillow. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless detained." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "By all means." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he make me his representative both with the servants and with the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Clair, of Lee." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he of them has the shutters up.' through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, throat." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between the bottom.' confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." humiliation." companion. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Could he throw no light?" prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "And you don't know his address?" upon an income of about 60 pounds." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "It certainly sounds feasible." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some