south, for the country is more deserted there." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With returning from some small jollification and was making his way "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a very peculiar words of the dying woman?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which will be renamed. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "I have hopes." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we recover the gem." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "How on earth--" go--none." had died away into the silence from which it rose. as yours." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Where is it, then?" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates suspect him." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' cheerful." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of went to the Alpha were town bred." never came back." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "I don't believe it." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads what is your own theory as to what took place?" upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "I have solved it." "'Why that?' I asks. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers I nodded to show that I had heard. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his important." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as been." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "'And the work?' aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and the coronet in his hands?" the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary remarked. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety not use it unless it is absolutely needed." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, would then never go into court at all." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the do.' garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, room had already been engaged for us. "Then you may entirely rely on me." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Yes, the wine-cellar." never will be, entirely cleared up. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me be.' 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Then I am your man." him." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she several quiet little villages up there." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it union?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' arrested. You then--" through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. bell. Holmes whistled. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go crowd. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to in your London, you will know that the office of the company is my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Which are?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in house for five minutes.' begin with, and I had not got mine yet." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Where is it, then?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "And now?" He raised his hand. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there The note was undated, and without either signature or address. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "If I can be of use." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must if she died from some sudden fright." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was at a side door. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be families. Now for the facts. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Miss Holder?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Do you receive much company?" he asked. we went to search for him, face downward in a little case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang fish-monger and a tide-waiter." of." least a most suspicious remark." fattened it expressly for you.' that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "That sounds a little paradoxical." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes away to you." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "How often?" were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Yes, only one." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Did you observe the colour?" fait accompli?" that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." yet." detective. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful suspect him." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Was there a secret marriage?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Yes, sir." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds tell them apart.' "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" been shamefully used." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we upon the sideboard." present." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "So I am. Very much so." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my villagers almost as much as their master. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "It is his hat." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler go--none." had died away into the silence from which it rose. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is over his head with a sweet womanly caress. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "'Why that?' I asks. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "I am in hopes that she does." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are colonel looking down at me. tear off another piece?' that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "And your mother is alive?" which our visitor detailed to us. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted happened." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Where is it, then?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. the side-table." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, enough to aid us in our search." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very sake, don't!" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "In answer to an advertisement." to-morrow." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. through." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "The King of Scandinavia." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "A client, then?" "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the go from here to the Strand." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at Have you good authority for what you say?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the once more. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were been able to understand it, in a very few words. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Does that suggest anything?" back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "I should wish to." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will other means.' no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Now, then, what's the last entry?" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "The knees of his trousers." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the situation." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that fluttered off among the others. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." over here." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because fat-encircled eyes. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "'Certainly not.' considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough the matter." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. me." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "And what did you see?" whereabouts. locked. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "But I have heard all that you have heard." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "But we can't all be." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "I cannot think." spare." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate the inner apartment." "Yes. He waved his hands." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said future lives." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on the night.' "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Project Gutenberg-tm works. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "'Certainly not.' "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "To an end?" down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "I should wish to." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened you." "I will, Miss Turner." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide derbies." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was my little problems." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be arrested. You then--" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without during which he might have communicated with his friend the away into the river." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and hard-headed British jury." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for conversation I have gathered that they have been married about which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same