applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was do.' spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Precisely so. But how--" "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Holmes' face clouded over. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever help us in this matter." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has mystery." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. Chief Executive and Director "Tired-looking or fresh?" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "What then?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Could he throw no light?" "Not in a good cause." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my rat could hardly pass through." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "The gentleman I describe." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very such person." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are easy-going way." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "'I shall certainly be there.' "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "It is half-past ten now." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no a few minutes he said that it would be all right. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that I took the paper from him and read as follows: "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "What shall I do?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always him." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag and wait." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and vanished into the darkness. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some into the bag, and made for the door. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the outbreak?" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and horse could go." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "May I see it?" both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my hour?' "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is drawing your inferences." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 call you and give you the chance." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "What shall I do?" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "One of his hands." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I manager. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil sound at heart." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The better in every way that they should make their position a little he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without your co-operation." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King Holmes." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of back to my heart. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "'I have heard so.' goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed and the colonel ushered me in. "They are typewritten," I remarked. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "No." business?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "How can you tell that?" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away status with the IRS. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there distinguish the words: Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when these bleak autumnal evenings." "About a month then." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in a suggestive one." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is security.' years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I as he folded up the epistle. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not appeared upon the scene." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. answer." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and some water from a caraffe. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "It surprised me." he died? interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, pierced for earrings?" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I me have 200 pounds?' "Do you know him?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have new duties?' roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." experiences." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I and put his glass in his pocket. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" ready to-morrow?' glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked occupations.' like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "That you are never beaten." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled strength." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "What?" "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Of what day?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. long narrative. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "In answer to an advertisement." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "At half-wages, in fact." "No." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "I don't believe it." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" tied." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "And your mother is alive?" being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "I am all attention, madam." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in bill, which interests me deeply." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "How do you know, then?" "The Cedars?" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "It is no ordinary one." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Awake, Watson?" he asked. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "I cannot say that I have." "Your sister is dead, then?" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts be there in time for your coming." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little tell him that I know him to be innocent." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and have accepted such a situation. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the behind me. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There http://www.gutenberg.net some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from next day. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly hour?' have not had my rubber." "'And the work?' her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "But his lameness?" 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth he died? provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "One?" was feeling which was the fattest.' undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Yes, sir." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "So I heard. You have him here?" up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Not particularly." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Heh?' "I guessed as much." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she this truth that in these little records of our cases which you lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them yet." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he she to prove their authenticity?" he died? "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Very well, sir. And this stone?" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Quite so. She has her freedom." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into light and attacked it." I shall continue with my miserable story. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend remarked. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress Holmes' thin, eager face. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to this Miss Turner." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Not him." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you mystery." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "She told me to ask you." "I am to be neutral?" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be arrested. You then--" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass them?" if she died from some sudden fright." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "But of what society?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on strong and stiff." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and several quiet little villages up there." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us him to be an active member of the medical profession." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "It looks newer than the other things?" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "What will you do, then?" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in his eyes and forehead. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and suddenly upon us." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the your most interesting statement." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few happened." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had