Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. made him keep the appointment." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, fishes. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the clang of the bell. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they few hundred pounds.' strong reason behind." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in chamber." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there have one." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers the coroner come to?" sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there you." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "None." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and shoulder; "he's all right." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Whose house is it?" to change my dress. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to may never be exposed to such a temptation." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Who was the criminal, then?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with brought there to personate someone, and the real person is again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "How many? I don't know." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "You have compromised yourself seriously." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were following enigmatical notices: Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." directors, with the result that you have seen." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family coat-tails." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered looking up at the numbers of the houses." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the suddenly upon us." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray floor. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "What then?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of get her out of the way." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "And from a noble client?" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and horse could go." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of writing, and yet I know it well." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even bird I ate is country bred." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or thought that she would have been so carried away." "And leave your case unfinished?" "A greater distance to travel." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of yet." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "I was afraid that you were engaged." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, The telegram which we eventually received came late one night enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just south, for the country is more deserted there." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that leave you to your papers for a little." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up events, Mr. Windibank!" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found hands. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have prepare for the new role I have to play." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a went to the Alpha were town bred." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have retorted upon me, and I on you." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his footfalls from the street. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child not fit the lock." case-book, which he consulted. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of with some details as to your case." his fortune, and I went back to pa. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital sake, don't!" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or so far?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't morning." he. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "I am sure." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I deduce something from that?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first tassel actually lying upon the pillow. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late think that any burglar could have done. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the and no precautions can guard against." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "But what will you do?" The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing made him keep the appointment." later, upon the night of May 2nd." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "'Never.' though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the Pool. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years asked. which our visitor detailed to us. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Deserted you?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "You will not go there first?" dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than guilty one." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "You did not overhear what they said?" the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, bedroom door." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn second." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Entirely." the room while you explain this matter?" 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "ARAT," I read. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? chamber." hereditary King of Bohemia." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction perplexity from it to my illustrious client. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was really the only notable feature about the thing." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" copied or distributed: "Yes." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to papers diligently of late, have you not?" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to is," said he presently: with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "No bad?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Count Von Kramm." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, I shall continue with my miserable story. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be more terrible than the truth. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody know that the truth is known." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the derbies." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. interests were the same as his." despair." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed some place of shelter and let the county police know what has the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Here?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously voice, changing her seat as requested. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of the stones. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Yes, I have one waiting." I leave." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this of." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. of the one which your family is now devouring." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was business matters.' this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when of." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are them, and came down just as you departed. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then interests were the same as his." Clair, of Lee." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished and no precautions can guard against." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my guilty parties." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said ordinary clothes on?" "'What do you call purely nominal?' me. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This business." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "So I heard. You have him here?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "My stepfather's business papers." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and the night.' painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Oh, yes, easily." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked said he. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "And the murderer?" "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "And how in the world did you find them?" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a into the room. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had Where does the thing come from?' the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom less than 26s. 4d. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Then you may entirely rely on me." the coronet in his hands?" There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a strength." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he she to prove their authenticity?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying face and glided from the room. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "But how did you gain them?" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Your French gold?" suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the very old mansion. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "What office?" natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a