this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a During two years I have had three consultations and one small Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I of your young ladies.' "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have events than those which have happened in my own family." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in his forehead." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might you." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "I would give my fortune to have them back." "And is that all?" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year to Leatherhead. a good hundred miles off by now." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "I think it very unlikely." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" open." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles do.' for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be said I. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "How did you deduce the select?" he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look advice." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Quite so. She has her freedom." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands in one or two places in England?' Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his matter." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his in the dead of the night?' life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give the King without delay." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a you, my dear young lady?' eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "But how?" her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a Again Holmes raved in the air. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we out of this horrible affair." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "His face fell immediately. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most politicians who had been sent down from the North. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the status with the IRS. there when the Rucastles went away." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would figure." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Here?" "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between brought there to personate someone, and the real person is new duties?' to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us touch that coronet?' jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I upon the shelf for the interim." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own wife's character?" and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was think that he is innocent?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, electronic works for securing the situation." "I am still in the dark." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "And you can do nothing until then?" read over the extraordinary announcement. "I will, Miss Turner." death." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "How long did she speak to this Alice?" yet." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the Friday. Was it to be in church?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six go from here to the Strand." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" miles off. "The gentleman I describe." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Surrey." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I to have that photograph." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "And Irene Adler?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "You are hungry," I remarked. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these presume?" "It was an hour's good drive." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "That is easily got." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Countess of Morcar's?" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You that there was nothing in it, after all." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness outsides of the windows. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a the side-table." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was fire. You quite follow me?" bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well in him." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Was your sister dressed?" our word." "But what harm can there be in that?" shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "I do." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given not within a twentieth part of the market price." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Witness: I must still refuse. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "'A dozen yards or so.' "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the pound a week." "The gentleman I describe." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making neither fascinating nor artistic." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." the Assizes." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" writers could invent nothing more crude." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Ha! you find it so?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure thin legs towards the fire. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now companion imperturbably. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to absorbing." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, giving me time to thank him. the tragedy. "Where to?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could union?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he way in." chance at all." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action people don't know." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just now. It seems that there had been some informality about their matters immensely." advice." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a the stable lane now." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Then I shall certainly come." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I breakfast and whispered something to her husband. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for three fields round his house, and there he would take his I have it here in my museum." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' manager. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told within hail.' we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want IS "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "You think so, too?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of the house with me." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to take the flies, but not before." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that acted in my house last night?" "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few one which it was hard to resist. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the forbidden door. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's father's place of business?" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the criminal. We have already had experience of such." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." stepfather?" which we had just quitted. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated handed it to him. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "'Never.' man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "'Yes, sir.' "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch me. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are ashen face. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "10th. John Swain cleared. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had once more. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "I came to find a friend." highly," said Holmes. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for suggested at once that there must be a communication between the with her." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Sutherland. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm know that the truth is known." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't success. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "The King of Scandinavia." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at true." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "And how have you succeeded?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias of a light. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "The knees of his trousers." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "'Most admirably.' Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him at my remark. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. or other trace. But how on earth--" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at our word." to that open window." with the outside air!" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall them, and came down just as you departed. villagers almost as much as their master. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "One?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his room. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Yes, certainly." are, and they are waiting for us." him, that man would not have given me such complete information "'I shall certainly be there.' "Do you receive much company?" he asked. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried stammered. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "I beg pardon." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is said he. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "But to whom?" stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. what I may call a really hard day's work." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But swore that no one else had been in the front room during the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to