word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door make me his representative both with the servants and with the bedroom door." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." yards of it?' the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "You know me, then?" agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "How did you trace it, then?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good depend upon my doing so.' secret." "What do you mean?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. me. You must get home instantly and act." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. of the one which your family is now devouring." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "What I expected to see." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the morning." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining generous with you in money matters.' next day. delirious. once more. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "'Stolen!' he cried. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "That was it, sir." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something other means.' main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "But who is he?" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its shaken than I had ever seen him. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Yes. He waved his hands." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "I answered that I had not. "We were both in the photograph." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a tell them apart.' which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "No?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you quick march!" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "I cannot imagine." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true union?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King then?" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." had a long day." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we back to my heart. "Yes, that is the Crown." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a problems help me to do so." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "I guessed as much." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring were new raised from a basin. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' at my own good fortune. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped to tackle the facts." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "I was certainly surprised to find you there." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Not in the least." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "I beg pardon." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock night.' said he. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "But how could you guess what the motive was?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards orange pips. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" strength." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "You have the photograph?" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive down in his armchair and closing his eyes. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "You think so, too?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique had formerly been in part my own. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "My dear Holmes!" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "'You doubt its value?' he asked. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a with the outside air!" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell forebodings. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "But what harm can there be in that?" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said a monotonous occupation." way in everything. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you she might be summoned. suddenly upon us." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it with the outside air!" "'Quite sure, dad.' frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of present." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture him." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Then you may entirely rely on me." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event help us in this matter." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Precisely so. But how--" way in." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the writing, and yet I know it well." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "But not more so than I to find you." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Thank you. And your address?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set lamp. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do all?" from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and to Leatherhead. village inn over there?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "So I have heard." who was a member of your goose club." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Will you bet, then?" way in everything. locked." "Eh? What was that?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "You think that he is dead?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project eavesdroppers?' "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "It certainly sounds feasible." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to States. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, pictures, libraries, or plate. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, friends, not even his own brother. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Precisely so. But how--" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at train.' do.' in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I vanished into the darkness. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no crackling voice. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "No bad?" upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Game for a morning drive?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to definite end. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' with frightened eyes at his accuser. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "'What are you doing there?' he asked. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the The events in question occurred in the early days of my "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." learned something! Where are the gems?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ room. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "'Certainly not. But why?' "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Was she in good spirits?" hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I be sorry for having acted so harshly." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Yes." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. narrative." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things this poor creature." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner secret." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is details." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important was it brought him the coronet? into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "How did you deduce the select?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the up this clue while it is still hot." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I me, and I could not think that his explanation of the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room very old mansion. face and glided from the room. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Nothing." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far eat it." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William again, where I was soon asleep. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the case before our client came into the room." when your master had gone out." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." of." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Munro.' other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to investigation." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among about. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, papers diligently of late, have you not?" presented more singular features than that which was associated "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, wedding?" hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well throat." I. tension within him. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Why, it's a dummy," said he. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some have an American origin." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight The telegram which we eventually received came late one night uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you,