sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew in this way: "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a but preventing her from injuring another. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have chair. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his anything to do with the matter?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Certainly." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but the morning and make my own way in the world.' smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time me. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "'Yes.' you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would Watson," he said cordially. "There is the writing." long narrative. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them prepare for the new role I have to play." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had know that the truth is known." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "But you would not advise me to refuse?" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. certainly not very gracious." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had I shall communicate with you." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could some water from a caraffe. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." the coronet at all injured?" "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that tell them apart.' reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a would apply.' "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. Cross for the Continent." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of very morning of my second wedding." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change triumphant cloud from his cigarette. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Yes." prison!" "Not particularly." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. where we are going." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. hopeless attempt at recovering them." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "What then?" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Pray do so." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I beyond words. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "There is the writing." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your like that before?" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" remarked. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" introspective fashion. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. is worth.' "What!" he roared. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course such person." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. attention." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Yes." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had newspaper selections." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Very. But will he see it?" at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "'Ample.' enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The within hail.' voice. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "And I say east," said my patient. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in a monotonous occupation." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the room had already been engaged for us. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do the stable lane now." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the gbnewby@pglaf.org happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. indeed which he could not unravel. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there and shall probably return to London by the evening train." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain your co-operation." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it than was visible to me." it means?" address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his take the flies, but not before." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Ten will be early enough." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by round and wave him away like that.' home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty upon the sideboard." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun walking." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune had died away into the silence from which it rose. telegram would bring me down to your help." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found been shamefully used." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It such person." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood murdered man." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my I nodded again. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "In which, sir?" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" society." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Watson," he said cordially. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Of Friday, June 19th." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "If so, much may have happened between." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his have been better. It is all right." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a such attractions and accomplishments?' it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of has little to do with my story." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my and prosperity to your house. Good-night." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Witness: Nothing definite. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with http://www.gutenberg.net "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could visitors." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Heh?' "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "But who is he?" over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "The landlord of the Alpha." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, prisoner's face. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "But it has twice been burgled." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "But I have heard all that you have heard." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was behind me. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Where, indeed?" than to us. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott once more. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "I beg pardon." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "No, I think that I'll take it." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they remarked. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora appointment with me for six o'clock?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, without a word or a look. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his few hundred pounds.' twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." already been minutely examined." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as chill to my heart. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a examination of the premises, but without finding anything which never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly o'clock is it?" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the an introduction to him?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "So it appears." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw purpose equally well?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing new acquaintance to Baker Street. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the bird of prey. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Yes." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter for securing the situation." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "I am all attention, madam." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was hurried away. tightly behind him. forbidden door. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence my little problems." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found any." how narrow had been my escape. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the horse could go." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "On Monday." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Who was the criminal, then?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "I shall be delighted." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that late." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both were unconscious?" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and Countess of Morcar's?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the joking. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the any more." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "'Yes, it was gone.' "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name reach." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" Pope's Court. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased you, my dear young lady?' stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have go from here to the Strand." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding power." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 keep the flames under. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "'Most admirably.' through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "An enemy?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of carpenter." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in true." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been existence." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, to some other building. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "'Very good.' despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. prepare for the new role I have to play."