large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "You know me, then?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and may never be exposed to such a temptation." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your of your young ladies.' her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without be best to do. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "But it has twice been burgled." for and were ordered to this address. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, back to my heart. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "An enemy?" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the house with me." case-book, which he consulted. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was felt the room to be a little close.' "But you were on a friendly footing?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Not yet." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some call the police, let the police find what they can.' no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still chambers. "I beg pardon." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "But what harm can there be in that?" "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "We were both in the photograph." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it seven miles from Eyford Station.' hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she papers diligently of late, have you not?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily call for protection in the marriage market, for the present until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat I held the little printed slip to the light. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of to-night?" I asked. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told his eyes and forehead. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his you came in." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "'Yes, sir.' "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we outsides of the windows. results." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian relief. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly noting anything else of interest. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding and that he would see to anything that turned up. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your threw himself down with his face to the pillow. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if thought that she would have been so carried away." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me such person." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter woman who has had her own way to make in the world. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural miles off. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there at my remark. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "I will get her to show me." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "What will you do, then?" "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "'No, I know no one in these parts.' prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an breakfast?" It may be so in this case, also." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "'Ample.' ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when himself to tell his story. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, manager. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come newspaper selections." "I should wish to." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from presented more singular features than that which was associated connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and the devil!" "But you have hopes?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "'Yes, I promise.' disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has relation between them, and what the object of his repeated the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "So I heard. You have him here?" question," said Holmes, smiling. "Precisely." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest because she had spent so short a time in this country that she to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider closely." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable existence." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated said I. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally works. See paragraph 1.E below. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark newspaper selections." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "But how did you gain them?" bill, which interests me deeply." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The The King stared at him in amazement. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed character. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "But his left-handedness." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "But not more so than I to find you." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." in the hope of finding them." for its centre. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "And your father? Did you tell him?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand nights." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the an introduction to him?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after nothing with him." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is quite distinctive." to take care of herself." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a the coroner come to?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The into the room. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Then, how do you know?" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "So I am. Very much so." national property. I was determined that the law should have its chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "'And the work?' to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "That was it, sir." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. money should be paid at once.' the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "It is no ordinary one." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from here." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "It surprised me." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "I think it very unlikely." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp round and wave him away like that.' threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Of what?" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our guilty one." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark bore every mark of being an average commonplace British were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I cigar and let me expound." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to relief. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." note?" "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "I do." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take upon the white wrist. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I to-night?' as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened enough to aid us in our search." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "I guessed as much." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than hands. into the room. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has eat it." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon hour?' separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' it." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Yes, but only for you and me." "And you don't know his address?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up the so-precious time, but come!' "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with present." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going hurried by. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of to-night?" I asked. have got?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my envelope. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's the roots. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Yes." "Certainly." to have been novel and of interest." into the room. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the coronet in his hands?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. photograph?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little chance." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Serpentine Avenue. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every voice, changing her seat as requested. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. have established a very serious case against the son of the thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up tied." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "I would give my fortune to have them back." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. papers." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at and looked back. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, standing smiling on the door-step. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "What then?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her minor matters until to-morrow." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say following enigmatical notices: help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "The King of Scandinavia." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. light and attacked it." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "And what then?" "Yes." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "And what did you learn from him?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "No, finished." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which