"And where is it?" I asked, smiling. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "It is solved." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the feature." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where on re-entering her father's house?" shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Yes." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I to Leatherhead. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his garden below. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "I promise," said Holmes. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "The Cedars?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. problems help me to do so." should be so warm over such a trifle." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "My dear Holmes!" green of the new foliage. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge true." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "I have solved it." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "No?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Precisely." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage believe that I should never have any practice at all. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose noble correspondent could be. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply lectures into a series of tales." do.' sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the how narrow had been my escape. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his use an arc-and-compass breastpin." the coroner come to?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "I see no marks." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they asked. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said tension within him. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it what is your own theory as to what took place?" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "I have seen the police." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Well?" engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "What of the rat, then?" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Where, then, is my wife?" "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "What! a murderous attack?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. in this way: "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' hurried by. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Surrey." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever this remarkable episode. character. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life not fit the lock." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Does that suggest anything?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking second window is the one that I jumped from." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile bird of prey. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Henry Baker is a member." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more which I could not give. He asked for Alice. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to prisoner's face. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have this truth that in these little records of our cases which you several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he man. "Thank you. Pray proceed." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "And the murderer?" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "What steps will you take?" I asked. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a is acting for the best. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not burst into a hearty fit of laughter. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, this poor creature." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which arrested. You then--" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is see me here to avoid scandal." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, wedding?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester out." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "The Coroner: What do you mean? parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign nice household for a young lady." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon used to be." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Pope's Court. "Texas, I think." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "No?" "Quite so." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." During two years I have had three consultations and one small that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and at once, for I have only half an hour." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, very old mansion. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "'As governess?' sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. in him." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with papers diligently of late, have you not?" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "I warn you that they are very incomplete." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in there has been an enclosure here!" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "And when will you call?" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his in the port of London." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "VIOLET HUNTER." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "That's no good." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had recover the gem." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to again." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic situation." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "And did you observe any change in her then?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done keep the flames under. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." mystery." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, chamber." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at with frightened eyes at his accuser. any little problem which you may submit to me." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some his knees, staring into the fire. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "'What, the red-headed man?' away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "I see no marks." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this the armchair which I pushed forward for him. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Yes, certainly." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "My stepfather's business papers." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Here?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "To the police?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father the window, rose as we entered. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent might help us?" however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in bare slabs of marble. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out country, and eventually married, without anyone having a done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes the coronet in his hand?" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "What will you say?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police weary and pale-looking. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Then what has happened to him?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been opportunities to fix the problem. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "'Entirely.' twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest woman." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "'There is a drive, then?' nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of the Red-headed League." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his a little more before I quite committed myself. "No." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "No." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Very truly yours, much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right think that any burglar could have done. made his money." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always of Fenchurch Street." his grey eyes. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been standing smiling on the door-step. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from round with crates and massive boxes. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long must compliment you." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been I shall communicate with you." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me laugh and put his lips to my ear. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Yes." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I nonsense.' a suggestive one." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "At what time?" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Then I am your man." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Nothing." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "What can it mean?" I gasped. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or to Leatherhead. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman rat could hardly pass through." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as bled considerably." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was would then never go into court at all." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Very truly yours, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was you, my dear young lady?' when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "'No, I know no one in these parts.' business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he