because she had spent so short a time in this country that she seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed question you as to those details which seem to me to be most matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had the south-west, I see." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "That is it on the dressing-table." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be papers must be those that are destroyed.' companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. indeed happy." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw minor matters until to-morrow." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "I guessed as much." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, matter." a monotonous occupation." in one or two places in England?' "His face fell immediately. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, generous with you in money matters.' thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Perhaps we may make them less so." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen walking." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "The murder was done with it." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Entirely." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' during that time.' observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new are, I think, all that we need." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the lamp. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are notes," he said. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he standing smiling on the door-step. legal crime." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "I cannot think." asked. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "She told me to ask you." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his prepare for the new role I have to play." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw shaken than I had ever seen him. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman your bag." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence corner of the building. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" the Friday. Was it to be in church?" offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Stolen, then." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Yes." "My dear Holmes!" may have an influence upon European history." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "He is dead," cried several voices. one which it was hard to resist. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk Foundation "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Dark enough and sinister enough." strong reason behind." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the past. photograph a cabinet?" good-night and bustled off upon her way. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle to miss it." help us in this matter." "I am in hopes that she does." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." to you." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Ample." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the is now desirous of getting those letters back." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in over here." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored Have you good authority for what you say?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, keep the flames under. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The think that he is innocent?" "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. would apply.' brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "But how?" returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "ARAT," I read. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. ran thus: my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in come either from the window or the door. My attention was "And why?" "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on walking." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, so far?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which that, and I came down." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes and a shock of very red hair. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was you." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure most interesting one." "I think that it is very probable." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of the matter?" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would you give your casting vote to?" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is with the outside air!" chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Entirely." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." disappearance of the bride.'" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could past. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had introspective fashion. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is little trying to do so much typewriting?" Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. the address that was given us in the advertisement. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our go back?" to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, posted to-day." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge that?' heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I John Swain, of St. Augustine. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be cause to be." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "'Where to?' furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most mystery!" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this that you can jump it.' Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. the nursery. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of country, and eventually married, without anyone having a seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "There are none." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just six. Come in!" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." next day. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." beg that you will break it off." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to relation between them, and what the object of his repeated see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "'There is a drive, then?' over part of the map. "What do you read?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. sooner or later she must fall a victim. one of the states of the Union." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Here?" not personally threatened." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "No good news?" twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the everything which you would wish to know." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "'Yes, it was gone.' helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "We have tried and failed." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, success. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in was keenly on my guard against him. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Why did you beat the pavement?" the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building which it had come upon my father." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Where is it, then?" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow easy-going way." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," infinite languor in his face. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "It was a confession," I ejaculated. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the lost nothing by them." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press lectures into a series of tales." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it a very grave face. had died away into the silence from which it rose. washing it down with a long draught of water. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." me. "Stolen, then." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to which are rolled in Rotterdam." habit of advancing money.' hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "In heaven's name, what for?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to touch that coronet?' pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not it means?" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible me." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only remarked. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend what these perils are?" "Where, then?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Nothing?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "You heard nothing yourself last night?" despaired of." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me you." "It is possible." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all until night should bring an explanation. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream said I. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me friend's singular character. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who you came in." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "My opinion is in no way altered." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a like that before?" confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "I cannot tell." remarked. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at