solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother never came back." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and the Assizes." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. them?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so yards of it?' "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "The Coroner: What do you mean? penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. there is a decided draught." "Not I." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." page at http://pglaf.org seen the man in the road." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which that you wished to speak to me?' both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. the driver. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "'Why that?' I asks. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of detained." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. taking in every detail of the apartment. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face round with crates and massive boxes. to Leatherhead. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "'Is purely nominal.' to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' locked." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Yes." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my use an arc-and-compass breastpin." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "My Mary? Impossible!" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "That you are never beaten." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about the coronet in his hand?" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "My Mary? Impossible!" as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every were unconscious?" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, all-comprehensive glances. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call the very letters. But what is this written above them?' presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "I don't believe it." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "One of the highest in England." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Only as much as we can deduce." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Deserted you?" case-book, which he consulted. miles off. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows subject to the trademark license, especially commercial o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Oh, fresh and glossy." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you there when the Rucastles went away." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family what do you think they found in the pockets?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and the date of his supposed suicide." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight interests were the same as his." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "One of his hands." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. the little opening for the ventilator is." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too and that he would see to anything that turned up. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. father's young wife. DAMAGE. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of call you and give you the chance." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Yes." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but even so self-evident a thing as that." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "But how will you look?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, ashen face. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "No, I am descending." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The really the only notable feature about the thing." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at discontent upon his features. people in all walks of life. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "You have carte blanche." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "And for present expenses?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a completely overtopped every other consideration that we both The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and your room." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go photograph?" Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the see a sister of mine apply for." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Just look it up, then." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic newspaper selections." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused pictures, libraries, or plate. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's she used." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Have you her photograph?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever conversation I have gathered that they have been married about innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect to go into your room and bar your shutters?" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, neither fascinating nor artistic." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "What then?" slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "He said that you could solve anything." "Not I." "Could he throw no light?" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the roots. friends, not even his own brother. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the hair?' attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "'How far from the body?' pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "My private note-paper." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well soul! here is her carriage at the door." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "ARAT," I read. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "The gentleman I describe." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which least a most suspicious remark." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the bonnet, and went out." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging crime. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. is a common subject for conversation. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." upon the sideboard." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "I will, Miss Turner." "Married! When?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their weigh very heavily upon my conscience." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the upon the white wrist. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Yes." "No?" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "BALLARAT." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting weighed down with some great anxiety. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "And I to find an enemy." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage His name is Francis Prosper." the general public were present, then?" Munro.' and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who six. Come in!" brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug to a light-house. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "If I can be of use." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing murdered man." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during voice, changing her seat as requested. "My opinion is in no way altered." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to of the efforts of the United States government and of the better down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "'Ten to two.' and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "But she could not love him." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his just called myself is not exactly my own." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That bonnet, and went out." "I have seen the police." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "How did you deduce the select?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "But he might be a bachelor." himself to hunt down. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "No." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it answered with a sidelong glance. own family. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert disappearance of the bride.'" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. interest. They are important, you understand, without being building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that is worth.' defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a was shining brightly. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement during the last few years, and there are many noble families to despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. matters immensely." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Cross for the Continent." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Her father is very rich?" manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon least a fellow-countryman. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "But it has twice been burgled." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you this truth that in these little records of our cases which you for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, fluttered off among the others. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then