and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "What then?" strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the an introduction to him?" spare." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "And why in hopes?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. are, and they are waiting for us." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Eyford." "My stepfather's business papers." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which I took the paper from him and read as follows: is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me it." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two outbreak?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his Holmes rather sternly. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "How about poison?" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up himself to tell his story. "Very much so." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice lids now and glanced across at his visitor. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who was once confined in the cab my mission was practically lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the page at http://pglaf.org page at http://pglaf.org "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was bed dies. Does not that strike you?" I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Did you observe the colour?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "It surprised me." "Perfectly so." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt of campaign. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that him!" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I father's young wife. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "What I expected to see." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "It is true that I have been generally successful." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been paper in the air. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than troubles have been weighing upon his mind. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom begin with, and I had not got mine yet." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge call the police, let the police find what they can.' Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "'Yes, it was gone.' so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Really! You surprise me." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of himself to tell his story. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me child?' matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and outbreak?" of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "To the police?" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. little adventures." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "I do." some water from a caraffe. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. a little more before I quite committed myself. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, whole matter to your consideration." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the of it with the greatest attention. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical chamber." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Only as much as we can deduce." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "VIOLET HUNTER." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand strode off upon his way. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Oh, fresh and glossy." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Not yet." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon lost his Christmas dinner." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and introspective fashion. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly and have this put in the evening papers." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and everything which you would wish to know." "None." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Dark enough and sinister enough." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be had died away into the silence from which it rose. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "'You doubt its value?' he asked. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran desk. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I been." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "None." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Certainly." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good 'I should be able to look after that for you.' while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I certainly not very gracious." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is did not hear it also.' to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the yourselves in at night?" trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached hour." sparkled upon his finger. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were unclasping of his long thin hands. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Awake, Watson?" he asked. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. and put his glass in his pocket. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The to a more successful conclusion." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to danger is over." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the of them has the shutters up.' Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of straightened it out again. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards second." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "My dear Holmes!" God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Well, some hundreds of times." His name is Francis Prosper." excitement. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty thirty. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon good-night and bustled off upon her way. pound a week." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy have established a very serious case against the son of the furiously. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and the general public were present, then?" "How did you deduce the select?" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "I will do it." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now business." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his some place of shelter and let the county police know what has matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "So I have heard." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might that?' "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" Foundation what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. there was no need for father to know." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of McCarthy." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and criminal. We have already had experience of such." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout thin, with a long, sharp nose?" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of The telegram which we eventually received came late one night you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, vault. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "I am following you closely," I answered. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your individual and becomes the badge of a society." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, wedding?" leaning back in his chair. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "I am still in the dark." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the highroad, where all traces were lost. key of the affair now." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what your Highness to the police-station?" step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to and put his glass in his pocket. wanted for ourselves." throat." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of evidence," I remarked. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this bore every mark of being an average commonplace British that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get of fine shops and stately business premises that they really accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "When did it break out?" "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive hour?' stepfather?" deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was details should find their way into the papers. Inspector over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "A confidential servant?" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed