"You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said of it with the greatest attention. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the of the way of danger. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither murdered man." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with key turn in the lock." peculiar to him. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "My photograph." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that woman who has had her own way to make in the world. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Imitated." call the police, let the police find what they can.' sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven soul! here is her carriage at the door." "I shall most certainly do so." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "I will do it." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly cigar and let me expound." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this go back?" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Foundation down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "And who is her maid?" ready to-morrow?' stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Yes." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "And why?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the or other trace. But how on earth--" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "It is half-past ten now." conclusions. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" wall." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque respectable self." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "I guessed as much." "Only as much as we can deduce." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection into the room. "No. What a strange idea!" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My Holmes' face clouded over. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "What?" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he because she had spent so short a time in this country that she has little to do with my story." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. what these perils are?" "What then?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Nothing." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a your most interesting statement." "Oh, fresh and glossy." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday his face. "Upon what point?" "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. been deceived." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "One?" "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he empty. "How did you trace it, then?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he congenial hunt. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, you." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, indeed which he could not unravel. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "But what will you do?" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I again on its way. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Quite so. She has her freedom." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw to have been novel and of interest." thirty. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; closing the door. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the little adventures." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "None." "But you can know nothing of this?" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Witness: It was. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my cigars in the box." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass flock.' "What! a murderous attack?" "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "The landlord of the Alpha." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "What?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our again on its way. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Then the page we have seen--" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me threw himself down with his face to the pillow. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Yes." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Very. But will he see it?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "One?" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would the iron safe, which he closed upon it. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "How about poison?" fatally injured? right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera my special province." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "You have the photograph?" loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "I came to find a friend." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who the driver. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. towards the blaze. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each placed his cuttings. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "In the cells." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very shall use the carriage to-night." to-night's adventure." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off meant it for the best. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "I am to be neutral?" entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was I approached. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of be best to do. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable in the dead of the night?' there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "'Entirely.' The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "But how?" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. new duties?' even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to orange pips. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of McCarthy's innocence. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on horse could go." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "But his left-handedness." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "When did she vanish, then?" "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Perfectly so." felt the room to be a little close.' greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His some terrible trap for her." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, window when the police appeared." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to learned something! Where are the gems?" The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Literary Archive Foundation "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were like that before?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings never will be, entirely cleared up. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in been lifted and conveyed somewhere." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some way: The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Of what?" but preventing her from injuring another. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have you." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly do." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon be.' tied." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite forehead. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it mysterious business." instincts rose up against that laugh. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "I have hopes." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few have one." introspective fashion. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Then the page we have seen--" from the brougham. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the overpowering excitement and concern. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to a good hundred miles off by now." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' the best of training." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the three of the beryls in it, was missing. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "None." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it the little opening for the ventilator is." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own you came in." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "He might." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave empty. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "But not more so than I to find you." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no but preventing her from injuring another. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "How are you getting on?" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice disappearance of these gems?" papers must be those that are destroyed.' that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, me. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." think that any burglar could have done. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient more terrible than the truth. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, light and attacked it." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "I will do it."