remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the this unhappy family?" "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He unprecedented a position." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a hands. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Yes." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "No." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern paper in the air. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every new acquaintance to Baker Street. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an presented which may be striking and bizarre without being stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and corner of the building. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us such attractions and accomplishments?' threw himself down with his face to the pillow. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our were unconscious?" "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to best detective that ever lived. wedding?" there was no need for father to know." Arthur Conan Doyle gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. him to go away.' works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of towards the blaze. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that derbies." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, nice household for a young lady." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "'I shall certainly be there.' putting in the horse. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "To an English lawyer named Norton." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your to affect your life." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you asked with his eyes open. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a License. You must require such a user to return or despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I said he at last. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Clair, of Lee." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "You saw the ventilator, too?" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have good-night and bustled off upon her way. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Where did he live, then?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole outside." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling address. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "We must have a cab." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building the child." own family. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, neither fascinating nor artistic." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to cigar and let me expound." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous in the dead of the night?' Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Certainly." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the electronic works introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "'Why that?' I asks. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out see a sister of mine apply for." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it purpose of examination. voice. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand girl said." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was which should have the effect of calling the attention of the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by my friend's incisive reasoning. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. hurried by. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Oh, the cause is excellent!" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." But Holmes shook his head gravely. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" emerged. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes not personally threatened." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "I would give my fortune to have them back." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Get out!" said he. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and letters?" him and tried to hold him back. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." excitement. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. public press." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "A thing like a cleaver," said he. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "But she could not love him." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Nearly eleven." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, interest. They are important, you understand, without being "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "In what way?" asked Holmes. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this most interesting one." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." knowledge of the world." this Miss Turner." one of them." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide woman." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it conclusions. matter." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." hardly wander." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Perfectly so." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until think that any burglar could have done. "'Entirely.' which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a have established a very serious case against the son of the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "If so, much may have happened between." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "It is very kind of you." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say DAMAGE. Sutherland?" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some showing my impatience. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most fatally injured? "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks nice household for a young lady." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which point our research must commence, and we will begin it by said I. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door annoyance, but no jest. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Where did you address your letters, then?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just his cane at the bell-pull. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of my little problems." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him promised to bring home. conceal it?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which frequently gained my first real insight into the character of in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he excitement. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the my special province." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a My friend smiled. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of dead, shall be safe with us." "It's nothing of the kind." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to crowd. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a nice household for a young lady." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be secret." "Then you may be so with me." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, considering the formidable letters which were received by himself brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Witness: It was. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are are, I think, all that we need." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, business at Coburg Square is serious." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, which it had come upon my father." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side only touch the interest." "By no means." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, have got?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. works. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "None." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed would then never go into court at all." works. See paragraph 1.E below. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" think that any burglar could have done. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly way in." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he deduce something from that?" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "How did he come?" play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "One?" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Then you may be so with me." galvanised. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "I came to find a friend." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." there was no need for father to know." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Yes, that is the Crown." Sutherland?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with go from here to the Strand." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "But what is it you wish?" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed but preventing her from injuring another. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had never to learn it at all." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he was lame." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot client, rising. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "I guessed as much." and effective." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which so far?"