back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel I leave." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "It is his hat." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it existence." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly you, my dear young lady?' case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the salesman. window when the police appeared." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "But you would not advise me to refuse?" It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "He is still with you, I presume?" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Absolutely?" "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door which our visitor detailed to us. "'What, the red-headed man?' my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither skylight. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew secret." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Edgeware Road. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely unprofitable." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and arrangements." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "It must be recovered." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of intrusion of other matters." his forehead." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Young McCarthy must be got off, however." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most absolutely follow my advice in every respect." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be me upon any point which I do not make clear." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than like gravel from a pit.' Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Not I." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still at a side door. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return locked." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "He might." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and friends, not even his own brother. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for From what you have told me I think that it is possible that mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of ago." "Well, it is a possible supposition." you." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." posted to-day." than was visible to me." if she died from some sudden fright." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can opportunities to fix the problem. the driver. "It is true that I have been generally successful." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where think that any burglar could have done. For additional contact information: God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which most interesting one." there!' the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. his wife has ceased to love him." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "'Yes, it was gone.' "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "So I heard. You have him here?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "'Entirely.' "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "You don't mind breaking the law?" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back asked. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning friends, not even his own brother. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "It came here." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Where did you address your letters, then?" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms security.' "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so away into the river." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "'And the work?' "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the colonel looking down at me. "Did your wife hear all this?" Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Munro.' appointment with me for six o'clock?" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly make me his representative both with the servants and with the plantation.' "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "What! Had he lost his wife?" "'Never,' said I. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had thought that she would have been so carried away." been with you?" disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. your bag." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich not come at once?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Where, indeed?" he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I read over the extraordinary announcement. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" front of me. him, that man would not have given me such complete information their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "I cannot tell." "Was she in good spirits?" "Yes, sir." "But how will you look?" not as remarkable as your advertisement." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' where she found matters as described by the last witness. your only hope of safety." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and fat-encircled eyes. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether geese which you supplied to the Alpha." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could this truth that in these little records of our cases which you utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up populous neighbourhood." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal asked. companion. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the some city in a dream. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Doctor, of the paper and the date." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough was feeling which was the fattest.' "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Is he quiet?" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, plantation.' quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "A confidential servant?" corner of the building. know that the truth is known." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility time." unprofitable." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the upon the shelf for the interim." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came as yours." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work as he remarks, very much against the son." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare read it out to me." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my clang of the bell. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of that threaten you." "I say that I have solved it." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, not personally threatened." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always me where it went to?" Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor how narrow had been my escape. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a pictures, libraries, or plate. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some is a common subject for conversation. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "'How far from the body?' "I know where it is." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique that threaten you." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Bought." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out intimate personal affairs in this public manner." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. redistribution. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens ourselves in the office." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. views." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "And why in hopes?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge suggested at once that there must be a communication between the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We is worth.' 'I should be able to look after that for you.' keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he future lives." laugh and put his lips to my ear. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." written, and locked the door of the office after me. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were room had already been engaged for us. three of the beryls in it, was missing. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and never to learn it at all." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark started for the Temple to see my husband. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "No, I had a dozen." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." think that he is innocent?" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "What shall I do?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. young Openshaw's." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by you found me to-night--and running through the front room she The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we better grown goose." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon cup of tea. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm forehead. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes not within a twentieth part of the market price." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "And what did you see?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would criminal. We have already had experience of such." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "I do." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly the general public were present, then?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was DISSOLVED. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid union?" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a