passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that upon the sideboard." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "'I shall certainly be there.' c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "And how did you verify them?" fatally injured? we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in call you and give you the chance." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was interests were the same as his." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "'Ten to two.' down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "On your arm?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Heh?' plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the criminal. We have already had experience of such." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "And now?" I asked. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less shaken than I had ever seen him. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my strong and stiff." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "My private note-paper." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" soul! here is her carriage at the door." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "'Certainly,' I answered. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, you understand?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, business." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as detective. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will garden below. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about burst out into a roar of laughter. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he over with notes and figures. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for in my life." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is morning." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "I answered that I had not. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "And your mother is alive?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Quite so. She has her freedom." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Pray do so." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Project Gutenberg-tm works. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Yes." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I Lee, in the county of Kent." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if did not hear it also.' "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire use an arc-and-compass breastpin." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "So I heard. You have him here?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the King without delay." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at arrangements." have I gained?" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is congenial hunt. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "What have you to say now?" "Perfectly so." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt copied or distributed: "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the to-night?" I asked. morning." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, photograph a cabinet?" had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his straighten it?" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "I do." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an I was concerned in it." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. which was all perfectly true. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have companion. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and together. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my the little opening for the ventilator is." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Stolen." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was visitors." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for done what I asked you, Jones?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the tail." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes miles off. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe stalked out of the room. "Very truly yours, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been could not have written that. It is the German who is so "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique and glanced through. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural prison!" "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, acted in my house last night?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the what I may call a really hard day's work." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove notes," he said. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. that?' sake, don't!" will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "This photograph!" "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from him to go away.' "None." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "'How far from the body?' this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. is," said he presently: to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this answered with a sidelong glance. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the once more to my work. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of served to weaken the effect. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. hands. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "That is unusual in a young girl." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a himself to tell his story. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "No." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And entirely lost his self-respect." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely figure." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce III. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, that I may have something better before very many minutes are For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money light and attacked it." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just infinite languor in his face. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "I think that I had better go, Holmes." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as be there in time for your coming." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of all?" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Yes, it would be as well." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint It was close upon four before the door opened, and a way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to do." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "None." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "There is the writing." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Then what has happened to him?" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet perplexity from it to my illustrious client. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you here." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by it." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" my friend's incisive reasoning. clang of the bell. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "I should wish to." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over to Leatherhead. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the 1.F. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for his face. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, will he say when he returns?" "No. What a strange idea!" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to will he say when he returns?" receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A sparkled upon his finger. Serpentine Avenue. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Did he not advertise?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "And why?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "It was an hour's good drive." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "What?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, His smile broadened. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, outsides of the windows. "Why serious?" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled long narrative. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Does that suggest anything?" photograph?" slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "And why in hopes?" my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of remarked. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words garden below. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several breakfast and whispered something to her husband. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double relief. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls