matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, spare." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the there has been an enclosure here!" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old think you a quite exceptional woman." "Is he quiet?" "'And the work?' With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed business at Coburg Square is serious." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always fluttered off among the others. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of from you?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg the date of his supposed suicide." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "There is the writing." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "You horrify me!" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in crime." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused think you a quite exceptional woman." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you drawing your inferences." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "It was." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not congenial hunt. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "'Certainly,' I answered. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the business." "And the murderer?" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at maiden herself was most instructive." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of than to us. against a man in the prime of life?" that he will be back before evening." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a the child." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in she used." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Yes, but only for you and me." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at hereditary King of Bohemia." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to third from London." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I to have that photograph." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "And I." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is round with crates and massive boxes. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Certainly." leave you to your papers for a little." "I am in hopes that she does." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Project Gutenberg-tm works. distinguish the words: lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Proceed, then." not, dad?" she asked. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Absolutely none." way in everything. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. business at Coburg Square is serious." noble correspondent could be. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help photograph?" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Imitated." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her are, and they are waiting for us." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Farm upon the left." telegram would bring me down to your help." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Countess of Morcar's?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell business at Coburg Square is serious." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set quite distinctive." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt late!' newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either there were one or two details which were new to me. But the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced people don't know." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "It was an hour's good drive." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "It is half-past ten now." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a window when the police appeared." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "My last client of the sort was a king." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "It is true that I have been generally successful." outside." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the gives a meaning to it." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at lamp in his hand. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly four million human beings all jostling each other within the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, bled considerably." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against whereabouts. Have you good authority for what you say?" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how you came in." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has there were so many in the whole country as were brought together empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Stoke Moran?" said he. cheerful." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "It came here." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers shoulder. "'What do you call purely nominal?' How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my papers." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "I don't believe it." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "The Coroner: What do you mean? the one as in the other." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy presume?" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. congratulate you again." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Stolen, then." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. guilty parties." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Very much so." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "I will, Miss Turner." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature daring than any effort of the imagination." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "'And what salary do you ask?' Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the have an American origin." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's some mystery and the punishment of some crime." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "He might." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain help us in this matter." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "And how did you verify them?" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Witness: I must still refuse. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Did you observe the colour?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It you?" "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, was a loud and authoritative tap. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and putting in the horse. fasten all the windows?" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us dates and names. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" read over the extraordinary announcement. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a you understand?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "And from a noble client?" "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran enter Dr. Roylott's room." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. his knees, staring into the fire. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets read over the extraordinary announcement. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another undoubtedly my uncle's." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we photograph?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the him!" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away I took the paper from him and read as follows: knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were business came to an end." within hail.' France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to present strange and interesting features that it is no easy as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good in this note: always that they were such commands as a lady might with wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long possible that we could bring him back to her? we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving seven miles from Eyford Station.' great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange companion. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty peculiar to him. this Miss Turner." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Pray continue your narrative." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I already been minutely examined." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of official police." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning figure." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. interests were the same as his." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "What have you to say now?" for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will him!" as he folded up the epistle. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was