his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, when your master had gone out." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing companion. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of hand, madam?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family them?" every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "I see many objections to any such theory." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "And leave your case unfinished?" one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of papers diligently of late, have you not?" "I will try. What is it?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Get out!" said he. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for place of silver." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long McCarthy's innocence. in him." awaited us upon the table. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. lamp. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no from the brougham. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps Foundation "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "When did it break out?" That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "What!" he roared. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the place of silver." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "We have tried and failed." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the out of this horrible affair." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I his knees, staring into the fire. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what his face. ago." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has fashion which was peculiar to him. "Witness: It was. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' green of the new foliage. time." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "An enemy?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Ah!" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was to-night?' stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from spark where all is dark to me." night.' said he. "Was there a secret marriage?" cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Indeed! Whose, then?" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "What is it, then--a fire?" "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. call it cruel." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Yes, that is the Crown." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting secret." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he the Red-headed League." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "My Mary? Impossible!" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "I should be immensely obliged to you." "None." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my of note-paper. It read in this fashion: that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "No, I had a dozen." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my in one or two places in England?' logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were companion. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Could he throw no light?" it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. my friend's incisive reasoning. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any late." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the stood on the top of it. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. strong and stiff." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his I nodded again. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." as the one I chose?' companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "And how?" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Yes, it would be as well." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. nice household for a young lady." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my papers must be those that are destroyed.' helping a boy to put up the shutters. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread I nodded to show that I had heard. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and your most interesting statement." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." burst out into a roar of laughter. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during waste of energy." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" where she found matters as described by the last witness. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "I am about to be married." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always of campaign. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of later, upon the night of May 2nd." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "And on what day did he meet his death?" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Entirely." better grown goose." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself grasp, he hurried from the room. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "'Is purely nominal.' my secret was safe in his possession. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of singular points about the case. What did the police think of the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This gone before you can get him to hospital." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his together. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and nothing with him." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to prisoner's face. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, my special province." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "'Most admirably.' the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "An enemy?" "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was papers." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Sutherland?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which three of the beryls in it, was missing. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "It's nothing of the kind." "You horrify me." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily be there in time for your coming." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes fatally injured? over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a it." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I depend upon my doing so.' The note was undated, and without either signature or address. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not drawing your inferences." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "It is no ordinary one." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "I have hopes." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "And from a noble client?" III. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "I was afraid that you were engaged." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a him to be an active member of the medical profession." matters immensely." be.' my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Did you observe the colour?" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, begun to whiten, even as mine has." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." you." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been imbecility!" he cried. peculiar to him. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at gives a meaning to it." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my points to suicide?" of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a question. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our used to be." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "And the murderer?" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "This photograph!" trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Well?" which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here despaired of." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the feature." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be to you." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Will you go?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Surrey." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "I am to be neutral?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get page at http://pglaf.org an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Oh, fresh and glossy." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." indeed which he could not unravel. IS firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that seven miles from Eyford Station.' of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that is," said he presently: garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, thought that she would have been so carried away." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the to change my dress. Does that suggest anything?" silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Proceed, then." "In what way?" asked Holmes. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that spark where all is dark to me." "What are they?" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Serpentine Avenue. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than upon a handsome competence. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Witness: Nothing definite. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so