Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was present strange and interesting features that it is no easy the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, just called myself is not exactly my own." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "No?" fact, we may call it conclusive." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. But Holmes shook his head gravely. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she outside. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Tired-looking or fresh?" delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Then, how do you know?" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few said he. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from gone. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "I think it very unlikely." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine writer." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt sake, don't!" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "No legal papers or certificates?" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a would apply.' quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself thin, with a long, sharp nose?" country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time business matters.' running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You families. Now for the facts. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Eh? What was that?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the felt?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called round and wave him away like that.' your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "What can you not understand?" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "But how could you guess what the motive was?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, McCarthy's innocence. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "It came here." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Where, indeed?" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "To the police?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "I am all attention, madam." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. know all about it," he snarled. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Quite so. She has her freedom." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "I see many objections to any such theory." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of writing, and yet I know it well." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some pity, because in other respects you would really have done very shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over do you make of it all?" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit affection." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four already been minutely examined." passage and a tap at the door. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it is so. I know all about McCarthy." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something with the outside air!" his face. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "You are certainly joking, Holmes." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "'And the work?' retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful himself. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes you found me to-night--and running through the front room she address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in you do it in twenty minutes!' the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "It is very clear." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or memory. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "What of the rat, then?" 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he bedroom door." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. The events in question occurred in the early days of my grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, coroner's jury." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "What I expected to see." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and easy-going way." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "We were both in the photograph." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter this remarkable episode. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on questioning and rather startled gaze. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low young Openshaw's." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "A greater distance to travel." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "If I can be of use." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "On your arm?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now horse could go." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and door?" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Who was the criminal, then?" Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you like gravel from a pit.' there in twenty minutes." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press which I could not give. He asked for Alice. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether that he will be back before evening." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do Watson," he said cordially. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the were wasted." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be of fine shops and stately business premises that they really my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a village inn over there?" family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "'I have already given you my word.' knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three gentleman's clothes. "And you can do nothing until then?" affair. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough hour." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he Munro.' all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both you." "I am about to be married." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Murdered?" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment went to the Alpha were town bred." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "And it is--" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my the one as in the other." "What I expected to see." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "But how did you gain them?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael amused." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not to-night?" I asked. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "And I." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up cigars in their mouths. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked said I. "I think it very unlikely." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which we went to search for him, face downward in a little "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' such person." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was DISSOLVED. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, and laid it on the table. interested in these little problems, and since you are good with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying have had none more fantastic than this." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may again." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "'And the work?' "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and very morning of my second wedding." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said you?" c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." that he will be back before evening." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Yes, certainly." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "What?" pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but was used.' My friend smiled. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "You horrify me!" father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "I was mad--insane." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel during which he might have communicated with his friend the "She showed me, as I told you she would." exactly what you advise." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Can I be of assistance?" lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built Leadenhall Street--and--" The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch business at Coburg Square is serious." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now children over to America with him, so that I found myself without which we had just quitted. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be she has been waylaid. There has been no result." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "'Then let me do so?' expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose ways including including checks, online payments and credit card But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "What then?" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social indeed which he could not unravel. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "No." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had cause to be." "'Never,' said I. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, name is different." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "But what harm can there be in that?" "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me death." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Young McCarthy must be got off, however." get the tickets." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second despaired of." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish said I. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my generous with you in money matters.' the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" maid will bring up your coffee." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, me have 200 pounds?' roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so