tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon official police." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "I came to find a friend." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "How do you know, then?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her photograph?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "I shall be delighted." "And how did he make his money?" to you." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of too. have had none more fantastic than this." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and conceal it?" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not behind me. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table when your master had gone out." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. formed some opinion?" of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "'Certainly,' I answered. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "But what harm can there be in that?" along the entire front of the house, with three long windows hereditary King of Bohemia." "Yes, it would be as well." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "I beg pardon." character. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the not as remarkable as your advertisement." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "It must be recovered." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me felt?" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Where to?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that already been minutely examined." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I leaning back in his chair. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Then you may entirely rely on me." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "'And the work?' "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying cigars in their mouths. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two have been better. It is all right." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. night.' said he. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "'Never,' said I. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "I promise," said Holmes. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their suddenly upon us." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little as he folded up the epistle. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action 1.E.9. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "But she could not love him." stepfather?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of individual and becomes the badge of a society." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "The knees of his trousers." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "What have you to say now?" "I cannot imagine." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at had formerly been in part my own. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, memory. "I would pay ten." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "But how did you gain them?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here said I. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." very morning of my second wedding." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "By no means." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." pressing in one house as in another. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "I would give my fortune to have them back." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "No good news?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and several quiet little villages up there." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual was feeling which was the fattest.' back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who present." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Won't it ring?" however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. shall not find me ungrateful." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front written. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon least a fellow-countryman. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I ready to-morrow?' dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Yes, that is the Crown." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "This photograph!" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have manager. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Then I can wait in the next room." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of should be so warm over such a trifle." you for a few hours?" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not notes," he said. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Clair, of Lee." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had anything to a woman, for she would have her way." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "I was certainly surprised to find you there." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." you came in." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, tell them apart.' "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "And help." get her out of the way." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink burst out into a roar of laughter. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to security.' contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the horse could go." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that present." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his more terrible than the truth. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical beyond words. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out bedroom door." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to This is what he says: This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Do you receive much company?" he asked. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. your sleep?' Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of again on its way. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Why serious?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil six. Come in!" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' forecastle of an emigrant ship. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no floor. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Yes." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case once more to my work. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you II. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "I would give my fortune to have them back." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "The murder was done with it." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a tear off another piece?' present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for developed." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny hereditary King of Bohemia." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Two days later this same performance was gone through under It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Where to?" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Her father is very rich?" I shall communicate with you." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the green of the new foliage. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. evidence," I remarked. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers that you wished to speak to me?' on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in and prosperity to your house. Good-night." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just union?" "Your presence might be invaluable." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain for securing the situation." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more this Miss Turner." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Then the page we have seen--" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, what I may call a really hard day's work." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "I am sure." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they mysterious business." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." had picked up in the wood. "Precisely." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, sneer upon his pale face. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Of Friday, June 19th." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. happened." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his affair. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Because he was handy and would come cheap." into the bag, and made for the door. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. the coronet in his hand?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "But to whom?" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a not, dad?" she asked. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my voice, changing her seat as requested. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple of this gang." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost."