be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself the devil!" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the dramatic, in fact." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "What then?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "I would give my fortune to have them back." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, six. Come in!" platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed hurried by. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, man. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Could he throw no light?" "'What then?' I asked. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" there when the Rucastles went away." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but me what he had done with the three missing stones. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if you do it in twenty minutes!' not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "I see many objections to any such theory." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." constraint." tear off another piece?' I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for this as likely?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my important." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future front of the hall door has given its name to the place. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was acted in my house last night?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream meanly of me." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To this man was intellectual?" his eyes and forehead. "Stolen, then." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "I saw her in conversation with her maid." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the of campaign. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until to a light-house. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not his face. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Yes, sir." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. to-night?' "The landlord of the Alpha." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which head. So long, then!" inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan had a long day." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "My private note-paper." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in felt?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "And it is--" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "But she could not love him." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. annoyance, but no jest. "Yes." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom tail." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare good-night and bustled off upon her way. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel His smile broadened. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Nothing?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "I have solved it." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before kindly on the shoulder. skylight. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "I will try. What is it?" "No." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander walking." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. question," said Holmes, smiling. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of any." to have that photograph." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, unprofitable." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "And how have you succeeded?" Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "You are certainly joking, Holmes." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents McCarthy's innocence. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "We must have a cab." be sorry for having acted so harshly." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very shall use the carriage to-night." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that I held the little printed slip to the light. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a with the outside air!" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring tell them apart.' "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "What can it mean?" I gasped. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight spare." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am any more." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "I am about to be married." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have shag which I had seen upon the previous night. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence cost them two and thirty pounds." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Nothing?" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "And how did he make his money?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with beg that you will break it off." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "I promise," said Holmes. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King upon the sideboard." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which and the colonel ushered me in. "You have compromised yourself seriously." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Get out!" said he. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the the coronet in his hands?" side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "And now?" I asked. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven young Openshaw's." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have bears upon the case?" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card an introduction to him?" save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "But who is he?" insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "I don't believe it." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his is so. I know all about McCarthy." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California bachelor.' loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "'Ten to two.' with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "She showed me, as I told you she would." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "So I heard. You have him here?" determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Pray do so." noting anything else of interest. with frightened eyes at his accuser. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Certainly, madam." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "If so, much may have happened between." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of for securing the situation." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the legal crime." "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" outside. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "'And the work?' running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he individual and becomes the badge of a society." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very I have it here in my museum." nothing with him." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the case-book, which he consulted. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if with some details as to your case." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "And you don't know his address?" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the him to be an active member of the medical profession." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a fasten all the windows?" has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the answer." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Ample." "I came to find a friend." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, more solid." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean astonishment. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Will you bet, then?" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass conversation I have gathered that they have been married about took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute delirious. Holmes rather sternly. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main views." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "No." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which the morning and make my own way in the world.' hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient bonnet, and went out." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Yes, but only for you and me." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. to have been novel and of interest." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "It is possible." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the bird I ate is country bred." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the in the hope of finding them." "You have but to name it." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That very old mansion. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the that there was nothing in it, after all." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he It may be so in this case, also." money should be paid at once.' last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. away into the river." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "VIOLET HUNTER." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "None." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs