town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "It is true that I have been generally successful." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "My private note-paper." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. sooner or later she must fall a victim. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." present." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their one of the states of the Union." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "'Yes, sir.' hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried II. minor matters until to-morrow." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a retorted upon me, and I on you." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." Holmes' thin, eager face. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right have I gained?" all?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was over his head with a sweet womanly caress. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his in his power. "Entirely." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Where, indeed?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening how narrow had been my escape. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "No." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the nonsense.' however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Certainly." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, your room." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do dead, shall be safe with us." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "'Entirely.' impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and instituted." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." is worth.' "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Yes." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. written, and locked the door of the office after me. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, to miss it." trying to your nerves." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones occurred." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or them?" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." appeared upon the scene." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have forbidden door. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "So it appears." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "My dear Holmes!" "Was she in good spirits?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" someone who had been in Australia." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand she used." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would along the entire front of the house, with three long windows the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to hardly wander." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with the very morning of the wedding." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "He disappeared so suddenly." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, place, I think that there is good ground to think that the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "I cannot tell." sufficient punishment." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, yourselves in at night?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "But what is it you wish?" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed from the brougham. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an during which he might have communicated with his friend the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the in his power. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed them, and came down just as you departed. "Well, but China?" system of imprisonment?" a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was forebodings. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "One of the highest in England." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had way: While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford to talk it over. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "It's nothing of the kind." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, a little more before I quite committed myself. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Pope's Court, Fleet Street." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a what I may call a really hard day's work." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was how narrow had been my escape. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding here." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, gives a meaning to it." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "None. Neville wrote those words." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a used to be." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "I have a cab outside." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any foresight and the moral retrogression?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." disappearance of the bride.'" morning." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of just ask you whether you had heard it.' James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned for securing the situation." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Pray tell us what has happened to you." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Stoke Moran?" said he. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a what I may call a really hard day's work." my secret was safe in his possession. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "If so, much may have happened between." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Really! You surprise me." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another cigar and let me expound." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a fire. You quite follow me?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Yes." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of conversation I have gathered that they have been married about had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin my special province." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it companion quietly. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to three of the beryls in it, was missing. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "'You cannot say what it was?' air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. sufficient punishment." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "He said that you could solve anything." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. ventilator." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Street. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly ways of our fellow-men." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is minor matters until to-morrow." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you made him keep the appointment." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the vault. "But you have hopes?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Precisely." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Yes." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept official police." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk enough to aid us in our search." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I leave you to your papers for a little." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. gives a meaning to it." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. round and wave him away like that.' the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and could gather together that I was able to avert another public charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." go back?" hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for confronted him. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Doctor, of the paper and the date." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Thank you. Pray proceed." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of his grey eyes. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I bare slabs of marble. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Never." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Precisely so. But how--" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," one of them." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "It is very kind of you." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of paper in the air. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. case before our client came into the room." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for Have you good authority for what you say?" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it instituted." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel a suggestive one." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Very truly yours, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable for and were ordered to this address. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "I fear not." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "What then?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "9th. McCauley cleared. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Were they all fastened this morning?" have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "'And what salary do you ask?' villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him see me here to avoid scandal." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Game for a morning drive?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "'Yes, sir.' "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Is he quiet?" sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose derbies." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right