"I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible which it had come upon my father." my little problems." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "But of what society?" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose telegram would bring me down to your help." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was important." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "No, I had a dozen." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "VIOLET HUNTER." all that?" "I will not look." conclusions. "My opinion is in no way altered." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. served to weaken the effect. footfalls from the street. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "I would pay ten." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "What is it?" soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. during which he might have communicated with his friend the sparkled upon his finger. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Nothing?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang infinite languor in his face. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "I will do it." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "My photograph." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the girl said." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking signal between you and your father? despair." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is will find little credit to be gained out of this case." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE happened." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "What is it, then--a fire?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he mystery!" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "None." the one as in the other." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, which we had just quitted. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "On Monday." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "He said that you could solve anything." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those to miss it." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." at my own good fortune. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that own family. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into of the vacancies.' upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Ah!" just called myself is not exactly my own." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three writing, and yet I know it well." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "That is possible." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' system of imprisonment?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "So it appears." only touch the interest." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Yes, sir." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "That is it on the dressing-table." with you alone." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the important." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "None." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to figure." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, is worth.' the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Dr. Gregory B. Newby so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Oh, fresh and glossy." nothing of it?" it." "What are they?" "Your sister is dead, then?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "And your father? Did you tell him?" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he the Assizes." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." visitors." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the to-morrow." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND it." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "A confidential servant?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof the south-west, I see." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "How long did she speak to this Alice?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "'I am sure that I do not know.' "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony humiliation." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout compunction about shooting them down." when your master had gone out." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. could not have written that. It is the German who is so From what you have told me I think that it is possible that his grey eyes. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be someone who had been in Australia." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be astonishment. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." should be so warm over such a trifle." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Of Friday, June 19th." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a must compliment you." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Can I be of assistance?" "But not more so than I to find you." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not stepfather?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now mystery!" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the populous neighbourhood." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but open." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, hard-headed British jury." delighted to hear it," he said. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in that I may have something better before very many minutes are blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce plantation.' wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "You were travelling in the States?" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "I should like to see him very much." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "That sounds a little paradoxical." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found dates and names. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our you came in." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with quickly through a disagreeable task. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door down. you understand?" lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of said Mr. Holder. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as and that he would see to anything that turned up. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in cup of tea. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will in the port of London." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' to-morrow." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his ceremony." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is was once confined in the cab my mission was practically could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet in the port of London." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house kindly on the shoulder. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am third from London." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. good-night and bustled off upon her way. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' been lifted and conveyed somewhere." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "And now?" He raised his hand. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. might help us?" The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this following enigmatical notices: companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into never came back." kind enough to tell me what I should do." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 cup of tea. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." indeed happy." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the which it had come upon my father." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the skylight. "But you were on a friendly footing?" "What of the rat, then?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is chemical work which was so dear to him. "How did you trace it, then?" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be fasten all the windows?" "And how did you find out?" "Yes, from Horsham." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no with you?" very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the Leadenhall Street--and--" footfalls from the street. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "What can you not understand?" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in cigars in the box." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "No." friend's singular character. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close envelope. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." and your relations to her." "The murder was done with it." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Sholtos." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which assist you in forming an opinion." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge said I. of the one which your family is now devouring." "What! Had he lost his wife?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." must compliment you." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. chance." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece do.' were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell himself. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our ceremony."