Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight cigar and let me expound." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my outsides of the windows. "And how?" "Yes, sir." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. populous neighbourhood." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning means taking possession of that which another person has a prior order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. recover the gem." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are tassel actually lying upon the pillow. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest not come at once?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "No, thank goodness, she did not." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came eavesdroppers?' face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of prepare for the new role I have to play." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "So I heard. You have him here?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands quite distinctive." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced trifles." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to she to prove their authenticity?" absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. success. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from held up the lantern and gazed about him. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Then, as to money?" very morning of my second wedding." time." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler one which it was hard to resist. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness page at http://pglaf.org "I came to find a friend." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." mystery!" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "And when will you call?" are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Yes, sir." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to politicians who had been sent down from the North. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Breckinridge is his name." "'I shall certainly be there.' "You have but to name it." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Pray continue your narrative." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Then how many are there?" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I strength of mind to control. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "None." you in yours." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "And sit in the dark?" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "A thing like a cleaver," said he. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, with you alone." "We must have a cab." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned the inner apartment." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a there!' "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, opened the door, and slipped through. whether it answered to the description of any of their breakfast and whispered something to her husband. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face of." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of sit on the left-hand side of the driver." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most ordinary clothes on?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had which we had just quitted. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes the address that was given us in the advertisement. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. humiliation." to affect your life." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I know all about it," he snarled. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "I cannot say that I have." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." public press." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual colonel looking down at me. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on come either from the window or the door. My attention was "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Not in the least." "How on earth--" sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry salesman. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this rat could hardly pass through." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Nothing." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. dramatic, in fact." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. crackling voice. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would attention." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you congratulate you again." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "He might." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very then?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week Foundation downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you happened." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution to where he stood hid behind the curtain. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have and the colonel ushered me in. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side prepare for the new role I have to play." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who acted in my house last night?" the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which You can understand that this register and diary may implicate all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something chair. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my generous with you in money matters.' these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "What will you say?" weighed down with some great anxiety. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her overpowering excitement and concern. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it could not account in any way for the presence of the missing would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master more solid." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and third from London." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly the little opening for the ventilator is." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "It certainly sounds feasible." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "He said that you could solve anything." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "No sign of it?" instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped me what he had done with the three missing stones. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy never to learn it at all." highroad, where all traces were lost. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I astonishment. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and to have that photograph." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I some city in a dream. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "My last client of the sort was a king." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a noise which awoke you from your sleep?" The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for investigation." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' in one or two places in England?' from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Arthur Conan Doyle the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Dirty?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it think, you have already met." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases said he. John Swain, of St. Augustine. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror observed. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position such attractions and accomplishments?' you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." go--none." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and fluttered off among the others. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." must compliment you." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the in the port of London." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the people in all walks of life. to a more successful conclusion." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "The knees of his trousers." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. Street. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the has little to do with my story." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, never will be, entirely cleared up. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it laugh and put his lips to my ear. passage and a tap at the door. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive 1.E.9. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the carriage. It was a chestnut." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all is entirely a question of barometric pressure." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "The Cedars?" "Yes?" to some other building. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "VIOLET HUNTER." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next Pool. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "My dear Holmes!" "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by cigar and let me expound." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, taking in every detail of the apartment. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "How long did she speak to this Alice?" call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." leave you to your papers for a little." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Now, then, what's the last entry?" at a side door. success. "And I." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. My friend smiled. which it had come upon my father." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "I do." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Then you may be so with me." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "How can you tell that?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Yes, but only for you and me." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?"