in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. pressing in one house as in another. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "I was mad--insane." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank if I call to-morrow?" every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the room while you explain this matter?" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied heavily into it. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "We were both in the photograph." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project from the brougham. "Really! You surprise me." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Yes, all." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear assist you in forming an opinion." when your master had gone out." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. again on its way. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and remarked. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "'About the same.' ran thus: by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you coroner's jury." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at hour?' drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he and that he would see to anything that turned up. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and happened." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "You have carte blanche." "Precisely." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them stepfather?" waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is open." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." congenial hunt. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, both be extremely obliged.' "And the cigar-holder?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, me." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Here?" flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after correct than the official force." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "9th. McCauley cleared. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." man. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he I nodded to show that I had heard. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly heavily into it. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "The gentleman I describe." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," meanly of me." into the bag, and made for the door. disturbance in my wife." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly crime. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised DAMAGE. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and yourselves in at night?" the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the locked. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Not in the least." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too over here." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. matter over." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "'And the work?' responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He lamp in his hand. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers Munro.' "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter something of him before." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "I cannot tell." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the formed some opinion?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of is four-and-twenty." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to bonnet, and went out." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the then?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious believe that I should never have any practice at all. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water pound a week." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." fire. You quite follow me?" coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "And that is--" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the to take care of herself." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "It was." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no be there in time for your coming." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see hurried by. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Street. "Oh, fresh and glossy." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and province." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's like that before?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," Count Von Kramm." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "I have come for advice." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." whole matter to your consideration." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, he died? 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and were unconscious?" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently have established a very serious case against the son of the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Doctor, of the paper and the date." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you in the dead of the night?' it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Arthur Conan Doyle outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Do you go out much in society?" a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "I was certainly surprised to find you there." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." him, that man would not have given me such complete information the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. trifles." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, business." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "ARAT," I read. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "To the police?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Proceed, then." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there astonishment. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently hand, madam?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left my secret was safe in his possession. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ happened." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head hurried by. some water from a caraffe. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." approach us with offers to donate. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that begin with, and I had not got mine yet." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and questioning and rather startled gaze. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Here?" friend's singular character. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise is," said he presently: keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "And why?" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "You think so, too?" the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client means taking possession of that which another person has a prior politicians who had been sent down from the North. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small you?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said hard-headed British jury." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your window when the police appeared." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "No, but the enclosure is." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "And you thought he was pulled back?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "I will, Miss Turner." "And that is--" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you power." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied This is what he says: grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not sparkled upon his finger. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" system of imprisonment?" fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "'There is a drive, then?' defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. been with you?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' all-comprehensive glances. Does that suggest anything?" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "If I can be of use." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here should be taken.' see a sister of mine apply for." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Bought." "Witness: Nothing definite. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be thirty. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I