his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. discontent upon his features. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, country, and eventually married, without anyone having a 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "You have compromised yourself seriously." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, of the vacancies.' us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "But you were on a friendly footing?" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on waste of energy." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for and no precautions can guard against." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' nothing with him." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the be. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness himself in a perplexing position. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "'Yes, sir.' "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows minor matters until to-morrow." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "'You cannot say what it was?' produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" depend upon your compliance." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Whose house is it?" "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, question. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her know all about it," he snarled. companion. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is useful material for showing traces. The double line a little also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Bought." "Was he the only applicant?" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Very well, sir. And this stone?" as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of that I may have something better before very many minutes are companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with Farm upon the left." in a friendly supper." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "She told me to ask you." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "What!" he roared. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. through." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "'Ten to two.' "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the up this clue while it is still hot." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "The murder was done with it." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Holmes' face clouded over. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she opened a pocket-book and took out a note. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." ago." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "'About the same.' "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. fasten all the windows?" scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I you, my dear young lady?' to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece there." empty. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "It goes to the housekeeper's room." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent wanted for ourselves." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers 1.F. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to leaning back in his chair. ceremony." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, kindly on the shoulder. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" that there was nothing in it, after all." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my bears upon the case?" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband house for five minutes.' in him." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. ready to-morrow?' have got?" seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "In which, sir?" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Nothing?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little breakfast." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of The police have openly confessed that they can at present make be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "No, finished." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away her also." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to most interesting one." "Did you observe the colour?" of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my with frightened eyes at his accuser. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "'And the work?' case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my imbecility!" he cried. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "And the cigar-holder?" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. were new raised from a basin. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "'I shall certainly be there.' my special province." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul appointment with me for six o'clock?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "No, but the enclosure is." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly charged with?" Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "But how?" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a room had already been engaged for us. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed electronic works "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has have been better. It is all right." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "But the mystery?" round with crates and massive boxes. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." father's young wife. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right at a side door. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' Project Gutenberg-tm works. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the side. "And now?" I asked. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, already been minutely examined." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "I should wish to." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Yes, sir." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is that I may have something better before very many minutes are "How about poison?" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, compunction about shooting them down." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a criminal. We have already had experience of such." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in people in all walks of life. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried from you?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Holmes. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "'Then let me do so?' towards the blaze. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "I am armed." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "It must be recovered." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "My photograph." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "'I shall certainly be there.' reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I guilty parties." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Holmes rather sternly. three of the beryls in it, was missing. passage and a tap at the door. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than the best of training." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw upon the shelf for the interim." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing had no one to advise her at such a crisis." hands. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "The Coroner: What do you mean? and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's were wasted." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "What have you to say now?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "No good news?" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "'About the same.' set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" narrative." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand brought there to personate someone, and the real person is fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King tell them apart.' "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. acquaintance?" "I see many objections to any such theory." quick march!" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing it right.' had a long day." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite enter Dr. Roylott's room." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. villagers almost as much as their master. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Never to return." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he delirious. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. was keenly on my guard against him. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us that he has suffered." "You don't mind breaking the law?" Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is some city in a dream. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will cigar and let me expound." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "And how have you succeeded?" "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their John Swain, of St. Augustine. strode off upon his way. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. cigar and let me expound." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words kindly on the shoulder. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three soul! here is her carriage at the door." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "I was certainly surprised to find you there." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "And is that all?" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "And who is her maid?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Well, some hundreds of times." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Yes." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the