it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "When did it break out?" "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread the best of training." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads three fields round his house, and there he would take his James Windibank. Voilà tout!" terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "And who is her maid?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "We have tried and failed." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "If so, much may have happened between." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Ha! you find it so?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Where did he live, then?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "But how did you gain them?" study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are the nursery. chamber." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close always that they were such commands as a lady might with "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "No." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "And what then?" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of think, you have already met." "Was your sister dressed?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of dead, shall be safe with us." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it Dr. Gregory B. Newby to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which are, and they are waiting for us." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Certainly." floor. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "'I am sure that I do not know.' left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The better grown goose." "No, I had a dozen." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger became a certainty. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "I should like to see him very much." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable the loss of it. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. was already answered. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "I am armed." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out I shall communicate with you." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in away in different directions, and I went off to make my own fatally injured? "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no than to us. chance." said Mr. Holder. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the ourselves in the office." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad your equipment. your sleep?' questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and as yours." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a acted in my house last night?" robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." easy-going way." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Then how many are there?" "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. dates and names. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the union?" very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second delirious. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up bachelor.' of receipt of the work. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the indiscretion." do.' "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "He might." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "To the police?" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Yes, sir." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "And what then?" Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by down. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never occupations.' panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Proceed, then." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as and glanced through. the south-west, I see." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be Count Von Kramm." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Does that suggest anything?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Was the window open?" cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for off." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. waste of energy." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "It must be recovered." "Dirty?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the nothing of it?" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great kind enough to tell me what I should do." "How often?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What you." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must Have you good authority for what you say?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "How did he come?" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in kindly on the shoulder. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! here and I will read it to you: have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out habit of advancing money.' "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the is," said he presently: a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of where we are going." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." constraint." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." know that the truth is known." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "What is it, then--a fire?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and his eyes and forehead. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Pray let us have it, for all that." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of yards of it?' after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage with the outside air!" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a of the way of danger. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Yes, it was twisted." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which always that they were such commands as a lady might with "And help." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are be. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "I cannot tell." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "There is the writing." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." business." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the brain must have something in it." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." gentleman's clothes. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my roused himself from his reverie. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it The King stared at him in amazement. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she second." how narrow had been my escape. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a your sleep?' She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which searched, without anything being found which could incriminate tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, sake, don't!" coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again said I. pierced for earrings?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the despair." or other trace. But how on earth--" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some behind me. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "In heaven's name, what for?" feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate very peculiar words of the dying woman?" 11:15.' bird of prey. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would call it cruel." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Yes, it was twisted." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "What do you mean?" the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Witness: It was. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was my secret was safe in his possession. "That sounds a little paradoxical." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you morning." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight chance at all." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "You think that he is dead?" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am views." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was when you have done it." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "My stepfather's business papers." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "An enemy?" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, From what you have told me I think that it is possible that the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at garden below. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This side. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "'Yes, I promise.' mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This