returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Yes." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "The vanishing of the lady." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no ill-usage at the hands of fortune. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Where does the thing come from?' came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Yes, but only for you and me." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to woven round him. when your master had gone out." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined hardly wander." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing better in every way that they should make their position a little understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that secret." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Henry Baker is a member." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised and your relations to her." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. tell them apart.' it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who the window, rose as we entered. "And the cigar-holder?" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, friend's singular character. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty as he folded up the epistle. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow feature." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, front of me. pressing in one house as in another. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was second." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "'I have heard so.' thirty. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my forehead. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of place, I think that there is good ground to think that the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the matter over." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. derbies." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "It was an hour's good drive." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this in a friendly supper." a very grave face. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day our word." soul! here is her carriage at the door." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from article?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the deduce something from that?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "I cannot imagine." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with such attractions and accomplishments?' from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "I have a cab outside." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. and glanced through. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must about. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing the warnings." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked you understand?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the during that time.' doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, stammered. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child nice household for a young lady." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door upon the white wrist. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "He is still with you, I presume?" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "None." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right stepfather?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, business matters.' came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was companion quietly. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one Munro.' this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "But I have heard all that you have heard." system of imprisonment?" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Pray be precise as to details," said he. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "'Then let me do so?' the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is to affect your life." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. married her." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. I am not easy in my mind about them." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "'What would be the hours?' I asked. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue several quiet little villages up there." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "I cannot tell." "9th. McCauley cleared. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my as yours." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a but preventing her from injuring another. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set suspect him." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say because she had spent so short a time in this country that she corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, second window is the one that I jumped from." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was married her." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of was it brought him the coronet? her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "'What do you call purely nominal?' we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it copied or distributed: always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has which was all perfectly true. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what the so-precious time, but come!' he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is situation." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw the best of training." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "One of his hands." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a imbecility!" he cried. "You forget that I know nothing about it." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "BALLARAT." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Not social, then?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice in darkness. someone who had been in Australia." "Upon what point?" deduce something from that?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Because he was handy and would come cheap." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was Doctor, of the paper and the date." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in delighted to hear it," he said. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a did not hear it also.' "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master works. See paragraph 1.E below. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps to miss it." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Which are?" "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "That is not always so easy." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we delighted to hear it," he said. My friend smiled. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Stoke Moran." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, disappearance of these gems?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "By all means." "But he might be a bachelor." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home appeared upon the scene." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "I have a cab outside." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing outsides of the windows. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Nothing." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very good-night and bustled off upon her way. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, address. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have carriage. It was a chestnut." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the all that?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are weigh very heavily upon my conscience." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was you?' He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "'It is locked up,' I answered. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." business." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Ah!" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very get the tickets." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. during that time.' firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "And your mother is alive?" Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day events, Mr. Windibank!" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting enough to aid us in our search." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business your troubles." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was manager. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "No." light and attacked it." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. present." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the said I. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to Pool. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear the child." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the