going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that towards the blaze. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the question," said Holmes, smiling. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for union?" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "No, I think that I'll take it." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his prison!" "Not yet." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. business in the City. She little knew what. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you in this note: I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and matter." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "But I have heard all that you have heard." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. back into the street. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite have established a very serious case against the son of the chance at all." how narrow had been my escape. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through appeal." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Whose house is it?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and people in all walks of life. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in said I. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is lamp. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good which we had just quitted. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's recover the gem." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something States. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are to Leatherhead. astonishment. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "'Ten to two.' "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "'What are you doing there?' he asked. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "That you are never beaten." "9th. McCauley cleared. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Texas, I think." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand morning." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "'Certainly,' I answered. "What?" "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this went to the Alpha were town bred." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Cross for the Continent." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Lee, in the county of Kent." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the 11:15.' "Pray do so." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I photograph a cabinet?" roused himself from his reverie. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, off." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are to Leatherhead. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' locked." present." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "I cannot think." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" out." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Will you bet, then?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On people don't know." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might said he at last. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "And you don't know his address?" to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." man. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to 'I should be able to look after that for you.' excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of their singular warning or token before them when starting upon at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." into the room. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "And leave your case unfinished?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as highly," said Holmes. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "I have hopes." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny forehead. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "I am following you closely," I answered. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Nothing?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been have established a very serious case against the son of the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "I cannot as yet see any connection." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the if she died from some sudden fright." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, a good hundred miles off by now." over with notes and figures. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate the inner apartment." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double quickly through a disagreeable task. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully of your young ladies.' They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a was already answered. village inn over there?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "I say that I have solved it." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can in this note: your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." have an American origin." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name relief. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Witness: It was. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Have you good authority for what you say?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "I don't say that. Perhaps." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away enter Dr. Roylott's room." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "You are hungry," I remarked. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet the window, rose as we entered. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "I beg pardon." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to I took the paper from him and read as follows: man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, green of the new foliage. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "No more words. Get out!" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Well." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Now, then, what's the last entry?" just called myself is not exactly my own." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what in darkness. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite me. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only congratulate you again." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting sound at heart." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight gone before you can get him to hospital." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, help us in this matter." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them public press." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. enter into my head. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture where we are going." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles go back?" is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." this as likely?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Breckinridge is his name." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal particular state visit http://pglaf.org have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' tell him that I know him to be innocent." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "No. His orders were to stay in the house." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Project Gutenberg-tm works. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door politicians who had been sent down from the North. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Sholtos." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our row." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than people in all walks of life. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their breakfast." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "He said that you could solve anything." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Bought." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "No." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to it." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "The Cedars?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel fuss that is made over them." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the obstinate." are, I think, all that we need." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more wedding?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Stolen, then." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "You have the photograph?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "It surprised me." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary friends, not even his own brother. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that It was close upon four before the door opened, and a and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "And from a noble client?" headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and not fit the lock." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband I nodded to show that I had heard. "'Where could I find him?' their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, held up the lantern and gazed about him. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the my special province." kind enough to tell me what I should do." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment of them has the shutters up.' little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Have you it here?" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the waste of energy." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, all?" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "What then?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "'Ample.' Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the