as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "I am about to be married." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the and the church but not where the lady lived." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to 11:15.' Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Can I be of assistance?" and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "And sit in the dark?" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. mysterious end." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old of it with the greatest attention. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in and put his glass in his pocket. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Not particularly." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than yards of it?' in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of made his money." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Very. But will he see it?" the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "An enemy?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She jewels which you have stolen?' answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London you." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left the so-precious time, but come!' "'Never,' said I. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I did not hear it also.' "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His certainly do as you advise." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." fuss that is made over them." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all empty. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch room. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Pray let us have it, for all that." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Ah, but I was recommended to you." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Where, then?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the against a man in the prime of life?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had foresight and the moral retrogression?" thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are miles off. "You have but to name it." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right his forehead." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I brain must have something in it." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. see me here to avoid scandal." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all directors have had misgivings upon the subject." imbecility!" he cried. was lame." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a that I may have something better before very many minutes are in the dead of the night?' "And now?" He raised his hand. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in speckled band?" seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. will be renamed. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off electronic works complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "I know where it is." the roots. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "You have but to name it." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is companion. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "What office?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "No good news?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied the house with me." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be we went to search for him, face downward in a little "'Yes, I promise.' train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand hurried away. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "May I see it?" sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which tell him that I know him to be innocent." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of and inquire as to the address." with her." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it you, my dear young lady?' some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." me upon any point which I do not make clear." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of with her." undoubtedly my uncle's." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "'Never,' said I. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first III. the salesman. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your room. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Nothing." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "You horrify me!" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Of Friday, June 19th." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Very murderous indeed." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it security.' so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's placed his cuttings. go from here to the Strand." tightly behind him. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and companion. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every the south-west, I see." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Why, what do you mean?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "And is that all?" into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat brain must have something in it." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker himself to hunt down. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ tell them apart.' carriage. It was a chestnut." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them if she died from some sudden fright." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich to surprise her." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection colonel looking down at me. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his you?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A him and tried to hold him back. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have a little more before I quite committed myself. to surprise her." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "At the wedding breakfast." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of row." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination three of the beryls in it, was missing. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young fasten all the windows?" greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his beg that you will break it off." "The doctor?" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Nearly eleven." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some emerged. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, this remarkable episode. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he sneer upon his pale face. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked mystery may be cleared along those lines." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Yes, that is the Crown." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "When did it break out?" official police." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with investigation." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will one's self under obligations.' feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "If I can be of use." "Precisely." "'Yes, sir.' official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "And it is--" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Not social, then?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. learned something! Where are the gems?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "But you can know nothing of this?" as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No IS weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "And help." definite end. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and http://gutenberg.net/license). business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and absorbing." nothing with him." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that maiden herself was most instructive." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "I came to find a friend." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" should be taken.' "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "No, finished." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have danger is over." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." the child." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Then I do not see the point." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" noble correspondent could be. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he certainly not very gracious." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," have I gained?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same are, and they are waiting for us." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the there when the Rucastles went away." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most closely." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of weighed down with some great anxiety. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, back alive. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and 1.E.9. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "No, finished." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had at a side door. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "'Where to?' the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. it." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong