"9th. McCauley cleared. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so purpose equally well?" take the flies, but not before." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. dead, shall be safe with us." where she found matters as described by the last witness. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. washing it down with a long draught of water. call you and give you the chance." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "'Which dealer's?' reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty in the hope of finding them." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had gone before you can get him to hospital." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" became a certainty. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum fluttered off among the others. never came back." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post fait accompli?" rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Yes." do." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." purpose of examination. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do Gutenberg-tm License. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards habit of advancing money.' "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll tear off another piece?' to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk James Windibank. Voilà tout!" very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Only as much as we can deduce." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and disappearance of these gems?" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my cheerful." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Street. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "What!" he roared. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come passage and a tap at the door. in him." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "So it appears." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they drove away. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice little adventures." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Ah, but I was recommended to you." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Yes." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Of what?" "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian him." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from problems help me to do so." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature one which it was hard to resist. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "That was it, sir." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Absolutely none." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you you for a few hours?" "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay meanly of me." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way *** START: FULL LICENSE *** screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "And how?" real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country definite end. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and handed it to him. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged done what I asked you, Jones?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "I would pay ten." "None. Neville wrote those words." invisible to me," I remarked. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "'I am sure if I had known--' in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out plantation.' "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Well, but China?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for drove away. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present sneer upon his pale face. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set such person." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by compunction about shooting them down." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Why did you beat the pavement?" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the meant." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Pray let us have it, for all that." locked. with you?" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went call it cruel." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "But I am all in the dark." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "What steps will you take?" I asked. families. Now for the facts. at once, for I have only half an hour." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey that I may have something better before very many minutes are "No. What a strange idea!" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Yes, there are nearly always some there." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried will take you up to see the machine.' While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I just called myself is not exactly my own." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it back alive. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a least a fellow-countryman. nothing with him." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that the very morning of the wedding." will he say when he returns?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "'You cannot say what it was?' wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "On your arm?" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Then how many are there?" morning." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Imitated." papers on the sundial.'" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from hereditary King of Bohemia." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at of his shoulders. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." fled together." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I weapon." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's until night should bring an explanation. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "How did that help you?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, against a man in the prime of life?" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "But the mystery?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "An accident, I presume?" noting anything else of interest. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "The landlord of the Alpha." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide young Openshaw's." "It was." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I definite end. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had as this. Pray let me have the details." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Perhaps I have." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To which it had come upon my father." window when the police appeared." "Absolutely none." persecution?" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his examine." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "But you can know nothing of this?" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the when you have done it." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him bill, which interests me deeply." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of some water from a caraffe. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "What of the rat, then?" fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Where, indeed?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the business?" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Farm upon the left." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. envelope. "'Ten to two.' "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all strong and stiff." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their results." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to a little more before I quite committed myself. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too been anything against him. He had for years been known as a adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Then the page we have seen--" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I foresight and the moral retrogression?" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Proceed, then." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Get out!" said he. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "My Mary? Impossible!" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great I took the paper from him and read as follows: immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it yards of it?' puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "What do you make of that, Watson?" like gravel from a pit.' cigars in the box." and that he would see to anything that turned up. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." really the only notable feature about the thing." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, question," said Holmes, smiling. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known was keenly on my guard against him. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which character. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "I was certainly surprised to find you there." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim attention." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. returned to France?" used to be." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "You have the photograph?" the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "'Certainly,' I answered. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his gbnewby@pglaf.org out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Pray be precise as to details," said he. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical recall any case within my experience which looked at the first There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "10th. John Swain cleared. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself overpowering excitement and concern. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom bill, which interests me deeply." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he asked. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and