postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Watson," he said cordially. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. kindly on the shoulder. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he he. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning and glanced through. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the your bag." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "And is that all?" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "And on what day did he meet his death?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been national property. I was determined that the law should have its For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there the coronet in his hands?" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to remarked. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Get out!" said he. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Street. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "A greater distance to travel." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Only as much as we can deduce." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included all?" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "'And the work?' Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be conceal it?" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Do you know him?" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the wanted for ourselves." quick march!" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "And Irene Adler?" that he has suffered." congenial hunt. sneer upon his pale face. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other correct than the official force." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his depend upon your compliance." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a way: hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make threw himself down with his face to the pillow. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen been able to understand it, in a very few words. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose ordinary clothes on?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall unprecedented a position." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Well, it is a possible supposition." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to at once, for I have only half an hour." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she ashen face. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Watson," he said cordially. "He slept on the premises." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "What!" he roared. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was the running down." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and his face which made him a very different person to the round, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded was keenly on my guard against him. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With may never be exposed to such a temptation." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which absorbing." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double Street. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the fire. You quite follow me?" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE directly by questioning you." maid will bring up your coffee." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in points in connection with it which never have been, and probably never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Where, then?" action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with back alive. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, awaited us upon the table. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of Gutenberg-tm License. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with it." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. crime." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "An accident, I presume?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, danger is over." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Of Friday, June 19th." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon him to be an active member of the medical profession." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Did you become engaged then?" sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were place, I think that there is good ground to think that the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours himself to tell his story. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and your sleep?' position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "'Then let me do so?' "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Stolen, then." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "The landlord of the Alpha." thin legs towards the fire. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. observed. dead, shall be safe with us." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "It is possible." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your already referred to. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "We must have a cab." them?" "It goes to the housekeeper's room." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "It surprised me." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who skylight. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Doctor, of the paper and the date." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the coronet at all injured?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you dates and names. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both of note-paper. It read in this fashion: whole matter to your consideration." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Why did you pick him?" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his imbecility!" he cried. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "You will not go there first?" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what during which he might have communicated with his friend the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "That you are never beaten." "But how?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through became a certainty. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord grasp, he hurried from the room. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "What steps will you take?" I asked. it means?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence in the port of London." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, official police." "Your presence might be invaluable." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! page at http://pglaf.org left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the your troubles." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she interested in these little problems, and since you are good the matter?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed been shamefully used." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "The vanishing of the lady." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just I nodded to show that I had heard. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Very. But will he see it?" friends, not even his own brother. you for a few hours?" time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "In answer to an advertisement." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "At what time?" "I am armed." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "But she will refuse." as he remarks, very much against the son." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he himself in a perplexing position. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out served to weaken the effect. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his tapping his fingers upon the table. fled together." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "The murder was done with it." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "My own seal." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "I think it very unlikely." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Game for a morning drive?" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside someone who had been in Australia." "Yes." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand during the last few years, and there are many noble families to of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into rooms." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a which we had just quitted. my secret was safe in his possession. to you." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Tired-looking or fresh?" me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "No." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Holmes rather sternly. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. he bowed and left the room without another word. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an I am not easy in my mind about them." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "No bad?" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the were unconscious?" of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Yes." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at the warnings." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "It missed him, then?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be and capable of preserving a secret.' "Then you may be so with me." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. ways of our fellow-men." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the I took the paper from him and read as follows: slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my certainly do as you advise." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the begun to whiten, even as mine has." over with notes and figures. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," drove away. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now acquaintance?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side other, as fresh and trim as possible. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have