can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: pound a week." "He might." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and following enigmatical notices: "Because he was handy and would come cheap." this remarkable episode. death." married her." "On your arm?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "We must sit without light. He would see it through the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "What!" he roared. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "There are none." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. could gather together that I was able to avert another public very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, horse could go." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I best detective that ever lived. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the populous neighbourhood." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the joking. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Do you go out much in society?" unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new been anything against him. He had for years been known as a I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "But how?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Never." "In heaven's name, what for?" "My dear Holmes!" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' retorted upon me, and I on you." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "And you thought he was pulled back?" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it sentimental considerations in the background which would induce nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Ah!" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his not, dad?" she asked. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? other means.' "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. window when the police appeared." crowd. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward and prosperity to your house. Good-night." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when to me. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Not yet." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind village inn over there?" caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" Henry Baker is a member." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by trifles." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six in the hope of finding them." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived it. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found his knees, staring into the fire. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a throat." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I me what he had done with the three missing stones. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the recover the gem." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies disturbance in my wife." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "How did he come?" dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned people don't know." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "I am armed." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society yourselves in at night?" my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, away into the river." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "What have you done?" asked Holmes. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a developed." the bottom.' the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the to some other building. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the door?" "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my the best of training." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "May I see it?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "'You cannot say what it was?' "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "What, then, did Peterson do?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She morning." straightened it out again. bird of prey. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "I was afraid that you were engaged." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Yes, it would be as well." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! woman who has had her own way to make in the world. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "It's nothing of the kind." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Will you bet, then?" the very morning of the wedding." digesting their breakfasts at home." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the business matters.' seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "What shall I do?" place of silver." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you other lovers by making love himself." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and enough to aid us in our search." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Yes." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," examination of the premises, but without finding anything which it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and III. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been minor matters until to-morrow." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they presented more singular features than that which was associated opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong will take you up to see the machine.' Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how entirely lost his self-respect." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a there has been an enclosure here!" diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "And it is--" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter me." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary Countess of Morcar's?" "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to followed. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "To the police?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round at home. morning." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "What have you to say now?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were think, you have already met." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life little trying to do so much typewriting?" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the for the market.' One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Proceed, then." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "'Yes, sir.' and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. about here speaks of his kindness to him." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "I don't believe it." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "What have you done?" asked Holmes. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do hereditary King of Bohemia." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler his face which made him a very different person to the round, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. noting anything else of interest. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "'Yes, I promise.' unkempt, staring out at me. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding my special province." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "And for present expenses?" maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose your equipment. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Witness: I must still refuse. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, night.' said he. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "I answered that I had not. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Precisely." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at weary and pale-looking. only touch the interest." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Where, then, is my wife?" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this the iron safe, which he closed upon it. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. locked." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be might help us?" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. there in twenty minutes." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I that there was nothing in it, after all." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Married! When?" it." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Entirely." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "It came here." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "'It is locked up,' I answered. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Nearly eleven." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, tied." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which unprofitable." through." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when a few minutes he said that it would be all right. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." really the only notable feature about the thing." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we mysterious business." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account could not have written that. It is the German who is so before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted attention." feature." it." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to shall use the carriage to-night." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "No. What a strange idea!" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "You heard nothing yourself last night?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." tail." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "You have but to name it." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have the window, rose as we entered. lost nothing by them." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" and no precautions can guard against." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City danger is over." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. and have this put in the evening papers." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in sound at heart." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "In answer to an advertisement." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive more solid." ready to-morrow?' papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he power." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Well, some hundreds of times." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's business?" the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the mysterious end." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "'Stolen!' he cried. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Pray be precise as to details," said he. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all matter." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "'You cannot say what it was?' completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of coat-tails." sake, don't!" tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "You will not go there first?" terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, leave you to your papers for a little." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" chemical work which was so dear to him. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "'Certainly,' I answered. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching