a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Pray do so." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less fat-encircled eyes. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just during that time.' "But it has twice been burgled." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Well?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "It is no ordinary one." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "It came here." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. these bleak autumnal evenings." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault colonel looking down at me. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A are, I think, all that we need." and have this put in the evening papers." himself in a perplexing position. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "And for present expenses?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "'Stolen!' he cried. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "'How far from the body?' by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were respectable self." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "But to whom?" thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a bell. Holmes whistled. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman way in everything. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. know all about it," he snarled. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "It came here." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local shadow pass over his face as I spoke. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but served to weaken the effect. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. one's self under obligations.' stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, learned something! Where are the gems?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior acquaintance?" my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "'I have already given you my word.' murdered man." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. call it cruel." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in upon the sideboard." "How did that help you?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "It's nothing of the kind." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "On Monday." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a all that?" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "That is easily got." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Yesterday." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and back alive. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Here?" strength in the others." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "On the contrary, this is the right side." of your young ladies.' you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "I answered that I had not. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "At the wedding breakfast." to-night's adventure." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his over here." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it village inn over there?" "I think that I had better go, Holmes." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice compunction about shooting them down." this remarkable episode. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the companion. kind enough to tell me what I should do." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked of fine shops and stately business premises that they really while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of you." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure placed his cuttings. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Sholtos." Sholtos." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another depend upon your compliance." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are night.' said he. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his details." "But she could not love him." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able so far?" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my you found me to-night--and running through the front room she our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My she slowly sank and died without having recovered her not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the and put his glass in his pocket. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will it with his own hands." "But not more so than I to find you." o'clock is it?" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time the child." writer." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Pray let us have it, for all that." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "No, finished." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Murdered?" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "But what will you do?" About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no bachelor.' silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "It may not come to that," said Holmes. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as fluttered off among the others. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard at my remark. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that the ceiling. off." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and present strange and interesting features that it is no easy prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "And what did you learn from him?" "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "What have you done?" asked Holmes. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To of your young ladies.' places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a the Red-headed League." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "What then?" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only I nodded again. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, there when the Rucastles went away." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had room had already been engaged for us. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Yes, they were peculiar boots." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Won't it ring?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and since then to throw any light upon what became of him." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the persecution?" to you." other lovers by making love himself." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Here?" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between newspaper selections." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we fuss that is made over them." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away occurred." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." against a man in the prime of life?" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "And who is her maid?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you front of the hall door has given its name to the place. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his your only hope of safety." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Never." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is detained." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are hurried away. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "ARAT," I read. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in carried out of court." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "And now?" I asked. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the be best to do. "My last client of the sort was a king." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the the address that was given us in the advertisement. to-night." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in strong and stiff." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "It is a murder, then?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. chance." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "I shall be delighted." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though with you?" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to that he has suffered." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a room?" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he humiliation." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. like that before?" "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Why serious?" quick march!" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's a little more before I quite committed myself. "Yes." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together me have 200 pounds?' "Not I." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "You have carte blanche." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "You are all wrong." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a a monotonous occupation." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the stalked out of the room. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather and I shall be with you presently." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "'Oh, no.' the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this used to be." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Your presence might be invaluable." "He is dead," cried several voices. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Count Von Kramm." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram me have 200 pounds?' was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly present." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Ah!" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have never to learn it at all." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his things are very often connected not with the larger but with the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she new duties?' ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "By no means."