Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Gutenberg-tm License. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should Holmes' thin, eager face. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set residence of the great financier. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was anything to do with the matter?" one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "That you are never beaten." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Only as much as we can deduce." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "I see no marks." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "You saw the ventilator, too?" at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Dark enough and sinister enough." became a certainty. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "I think that it is very probable." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of passage and a tap at the door. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your fishes. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "No, distinctly professional." "BALLARAT." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some with her." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." all that?" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Of what day?" tell them apart.' "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, this man was intellectual?" rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the unkempt, staring out at me. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, morning." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into Miss Holder?" "Nothing." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see hair?' the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a amused." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you that he will be back before evening." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small events than those which have happened in my own family." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself your equipment. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "I have hopes." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good because she had spent so short a time in this country that she drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." desk. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton coroner's jury." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought certainly not very gracious." of your young ladies.' considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "That is not always so easy." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I was already answered. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Whose house is it?" It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the be sorry for having acted so harshly." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that salesman. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Because he was handy and would come cheap." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of least a most suspicious remark." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint problems help me to do so." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his like gravel from a pit.' down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to someone who had been in Australia." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking from the brougham. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you and wait." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "No." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it have been better. It is all right." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" in this way: boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a it right.' three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." to-night's adventure." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "And Miss Sutherland?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "What are they?" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "It is very clear." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask business in the City. She little knew what. chair. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a are windows in it, of course?" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the undoubtedly my uncle's." south, for the country is more deserted there." emerged. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Yes, certainly." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "'What would be the hours?' I asked. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit breakfast and whispered something to her husband. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is bonnet, and went out." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Do you know him?" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at your most interesting statement." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion have one." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when at a side door. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a weapon." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "I cannot tell." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, excitement. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are noble correspondent could be. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and any." door?" legal crime." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he hardly wander." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the strength of mind to control. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I disappearance of the bride.'" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "You are all wrong." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room girl said." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "At half-wages, in fact." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out started for the Temple to see my husband. conceal it?" I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "How did you deduce the select?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and golden eyeglasses. me what he had done with the three missing stones. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I second window is the one that I jumped from." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Yes." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "How did you trace it, then?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety the nursery. Eyford at 11:15.' "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "What do you mean?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it mystery may be cleared along those lines." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "That was it, sir." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, at a side door. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I Clair, of Lee." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Sholtos." up this clue while it is still hot." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I will he say when he returns?" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, electronic works affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your golden eyeglasses. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. a room. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar the child." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Street. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "It came here." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I very old mansion. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town lost his Christmas dinner." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and a room. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." have had none more fantastic than this." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family suspect him." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an where we are going." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his you do it in twenty minutes!' the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get excitement. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "But what will you do?" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us bearing upon the case." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I as noiselessly as she had come. said he. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It woven round him. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "One of the highest in England." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "I say it is." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Yes, sir." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Yes, there are nearly always some there." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those down in his armchair and closing his eyes. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case such person." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, was lame." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the Literary Archive Foundation face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "It is true that I have been generally successful." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain,