the bed, and you in that chair." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns the Assizes." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "I was sure that I might rely on you." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. shall not find me ungrateful." unkempt, staring out at me. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Yes." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small them?" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at once more to my work. at home. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Will you bet, then?" reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Countess of Morcar's?" to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich affection." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "He disappeared so suddenly." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed the devil!" about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which details." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as Project Gutenberg-tm works. eat it." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in dear old homesteads?" reach." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously yet." October 9, 1890. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Always." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who there were so many in the whole country as were brought together down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly fear." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "And you thought he was pulled back?" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my away to you." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Nothing." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in not, dad?" she asked. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair cigar and let me expound." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, into the room. weary and pale-looking. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "He said too much." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "To the police?" absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Farm upon the left." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Nothing." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves you want, then?' "Certainly, madam." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might Pool. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very very peculiar words of the dying woman?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "No, I am descending." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they will take you up to see the machine.' last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "And I say east," said my patient. intrusion of other matters." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low in a very precise fashion." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked to go into your room and bar your shutters?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Witness: I must still refuse. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. shoulder. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an cigar and let me expound." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and not fit the lock." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of strength of mind to control. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "What can it mean?" I gasped. been with you?" innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect few hundred pounds.' tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Not social, then?" appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the more terrible than the truth. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "'Yes, I promise.' settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "You were travelling in the States?" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "I am sure." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police is entirely a question of barometric pressure." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "You horrify me!" "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of companion quietly. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. questioning and rather startled gaze. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. call for it in person on Monday morning.' "'Entirely.' I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." chair. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at bedroom door." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. once more. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "And why in hopes?" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Pray let us have it, for all that." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just legal crime." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as carpenter." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is crime. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to than to us. Heh?' dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to tear off another piece?' wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Sutherland?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that gone. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in were new raised from a basin. "I have seen the police." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last if she died from some sudden fright." "Then what has happened to him?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "No, I am descending." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Pray do so." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a appeal." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and what these perils are?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to come either from the window or the door. My attention was subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he giving me time to thank him. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me go from here to the Strand." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were there is a decided draught." is," said he presently: resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an know all about it," he snarled. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "I would give my fortune to have them back." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "No." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Were they all fastened this morning?" is," said he presently: that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something certainly not very gracious." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the rose-bushes. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so clang of the bell. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found his grey eyes. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "It certainly sounds feasible." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I been with you?" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him what is your own theory as to what took place?" that I can to serve you." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "But your client--" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not acted in my house last night?" "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his again." bonnet, and went out." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I very peculiar words of the dying woman?" very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Miss Holder?" meanly of me." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in there in twenty minutes." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, in darkness. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "How on earth--" steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. fait accompli?" "The Cedars?" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be from the brougham. started for the Temple to see my husband. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of held up the lantern and gazed about him. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then side. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "It is half-past ten now." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "No legal papers or certificates?" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Miss Holder?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the and your relations to her." "What office?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "It is no ordinary one." is acting for the best. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem returning from some small jollification and was making his way understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend three of the beryls in it, was missing. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk friend's singular character. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and compunction about shooting them down." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming had a long day."