little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the his wife has ceased to love him." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices bore every mark of being an average commonplace British could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the kindly on the shoulder. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Quite so." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you upon the white wrist. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "I don't believe it." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these him and tried to hold him back. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should and the whole place is in a blaze." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless lips." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "He said too much." "'As governess?' case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Yes, certainly." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. electronic works unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Only as much as we can deduce." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "And you don't know his address?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "You are hungry," I remarked. the inner apartment." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets point our research must commence, and we will begin it by the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Yesterday." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps will find little credit to be gained out of this case." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I noise which awoke you from your sleep?" cigars in the box." he bowed and left the room without another word. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "That's no good." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" to tackle the facts." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, indeed happy." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of of the one which your family is now devouring." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "What!" he roared. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Perhaps we may make them less so." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "And now?" He raised his hand. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And wanted for ourselves." was already answered. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "You saw the ventilator, too?" wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." a little more before I quite committed myself. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "How did that help you?" "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it think, you have already met." "To ruin me." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while business?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "My dear Holmes!" that before taking the final step I should like to submit the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Do you go out much in society?" him and tried to hold him back. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "There are none." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "A greater distance to travel." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very lids now and glanced across at his visitor. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." there was no need for father to know." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "What, then, did Peterson do?" round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think spark where all is dark to me." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether cigars in their mouths. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Why, what do you mean?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to said I. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into recall any case within my experience which looked at the first be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "There are none." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you crowd. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' will find little credit to be gained out of this case." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you business." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "'Never,' said I. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the coroner come to?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, morning." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or cost them two and thirty pounds." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "You are all wrong." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Absolutely?" answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in crime. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "What can it mean?" I gasped. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this DISSOLVED. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If golden eyeglasses. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever absolutely follow my advice in every respect." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Then I am your man." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' points in connection with it which never have been, and probably As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months used to be." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. tell me that you intended to go into harness." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of delighted to hear it," he said. "Could he throw no light?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "But to whom?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' awkward doing business with an alias." again, where I was soon asleep. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any as noiselessly as she had come. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "I think that it is very probable." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "I have solved it." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. way in everything. taking in every detail of the apartment. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are better in every way that they should make their position a little you." himself. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further 1.F. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. depend upon my doing so.' "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed out." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew fattened it expressly for you.' may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found case before our client came into the room." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance some place of shelter and let the county police know what has A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other fire. You quite follow me?" miles off. at a side door. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "What! Had he lost his wife?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his Holmes." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad it." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that father's place of business?" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Absolutely none." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had woven round him. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Certainly." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert key turn in the lock." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The hurried away. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until which we had just quitted. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Quite so." "'Very good.' and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little me have 200 pounds?' "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Mrs. Toller serenely. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "But the mystery?" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your thought that she would have been so carried away." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her chair. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "A thing like a cleaver," said he. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "What are they?" national property. I was determined that the law should have its have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." that, and I came down." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. row." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried flock.' allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are cost them two and thirty pounds." conclusions. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and was already answered. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your bearing upon the case." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such mysterious end." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a future lives." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "But the mystery?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Now, then, what's the last entry?" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "It came here." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found papers." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Absolutely none." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't astonishment. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "No, thank goodness, she did not." My friend smiled. "What I expected to see." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "The Cedars?" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "I will try. What is it?" that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no know all about it," he snarled. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where corner of the building. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not following enigmatical notices: is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush said I. "I fear not." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and there in twenty minutes." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he heavy and sharp instrument." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Foundation and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in populous neighbourhood." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try colonel looking down at me. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, heavily into it.