To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "But what is it you wish?" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Yes." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." IS should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." be there in time for your coming." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "How can you tell that?" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have up this clue while it is still hot." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, awkward doing business with an alias." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, me upon any point which I do not make clear." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "What is it, then--a fire?" Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Always." begun to whiten, even as mine has." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "He might." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to use an arc-and-compass breastpin." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "You have the photograph?" voice. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this and have this put in the evening papers." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and and a shock of very red hair. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester enter into my head. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to little trying to do so much typewriting?" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "So I am. Very much so." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of attention." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Not in a good cause." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an fait accompli?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish not come at once?" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Ah!" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "What office?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "On your arm?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "No." chemical work which was so dear to him. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." read over the extraordinary announcement. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a the ceiling. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can Eyford." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Could he throw no light?" accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached have accepted such a situation. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in shall not find me ungrateful." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that me have 200 pounds?' one which it was hard to resist. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "One of the highest in England." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a useful material for showing traces. The double line a little SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "On your arm?" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has him and tried to hold him back. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how Holmes." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can could not have written that. It is the German who is so labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "I will try. What is it?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or with the outside air!" street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of indeed happy." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "What is it, then--a fire?" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical get her out of the way." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "I cannot imagine." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Why serious?" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a neither fascinating nor artistic." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "No. What a strange idea!" "No." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to upon the sideboard." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." tear off another piece?' was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all late!' for the market.' had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "And how in the world did you find them?" never came back." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the affair. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in beyond words. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from ourselves in the office." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you his fortune, and I went back to pa. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away kindly on the shoulder. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons and your relations to her." his knees, staring into the fire. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was furiously. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and ceremony." six. Come in!" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, you, my dear young lady?' "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "To the police?" look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "His face fell immediately. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "'Yes, sir.' refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "It came here." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "He might." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He of the vacancies.' might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of before, for it was considerably after midnight. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was you, my dear young lady?' companion imperturbably. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's the address that was given us in the advertisement. straightened it out again. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "By all means." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased empty. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom maiden herself was most instructive." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Precisely." were wasted." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Now, then, what's the last entry?" outside. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that success. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. wedding?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE kindly on the shoulder. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this your room." "You don't mind breaking the law?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch visitors." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study touch that coronet?' that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell way in everything. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "And the cigar-holder?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "No?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "The landlord of the Alpha." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "'About the same.' feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "I was mad--insane." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it trying to your nerves." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an the ceiling. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." over here." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner do.' "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." whole matter to your consideration." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." helping a boy to put up the shutters. "In heaven's name, what for?" "And on what day did he meet his death?" Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will is," said he presently: photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the fuss that is made over them." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "It must be recovered." call it cruel." when you have done it." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." as yours." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in never to learn it at all." examine." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "'I have already given you my word.' of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. hour?' another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, stood on the top of it. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "I was certainly surprised to find you there." that "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "So I heard. You have him here?" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." of his shoulders. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the the devil!" there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have fishes. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "'Never.' "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "I am in hopes that she does." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. not personally threatened." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon me, and I could not think that his explanation of the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is