We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "You will not go there first?" "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to enough to aid us in our search." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Precisely." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler conduct the inquiry." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "You think that he is dead?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to cost them two and thirty pounds." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "What will you do, then?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. than was visible to me." "How on earth--" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no vault. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "How can you tell that?" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Yes, it was twisted." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Oh, yes, easily." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage examine." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found the Assizes." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Yes." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. official police." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. should be so warm over such a trifle." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled that he has suffered." "And it is--" which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between the coroner come to?" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with 1.F. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, both be extremely obliged.' "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "I assure you that I am in your hands." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "'Entirely.' your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "What, then, did Peterson do?" his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Why did you beat the pavement?" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the more solid." During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Which are?" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Your sister is dead, then?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Yes, sir." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Where, then, is my wife?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door into the bag, and made for the door. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little pound a week." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "But what harm can there be in that?" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Dr. Gregory B. Newby Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic later, upon the night of May 2nd." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve the ceiling. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "I cannot tell." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the have not had my rubber." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination sentimental considerations in the background which would induce agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the my room." my friend's incisive reasoning. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the placed his cuttings. cheerful." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the Dr. Gregory B. Newby Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the writers could invent nothing more crude." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "I am all attention, madam." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining triumphant cloud from his cigarette. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness one of the states of the Union." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he again." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional could not have written that. It is the German who is so erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I lost nothing by them." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. companion. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. cigars in their mouths. prisoner's face. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "What office?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Proceed, then." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "But I have heard all that you have heard." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with directors have had misgivings upon the subject." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Witness: It was. "Nothing?" their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I to arrive at through this?" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "So I have heard." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "What is it?" fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed ill-usage at the hands of fortune. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a cigars in the box." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we do." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "But what will you do?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Was she in good spirits?" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "So it appears." "That is not always so easy." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, always that they were such commands as a lady might with Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Can I be of assistance?" tapping his fingers upon the table. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to second." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I garden below. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "I do." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary case before our client came into the room." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased then?" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "And now?" I asked. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose his eyes and forehead. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "He said that you could solve anything." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at said he. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Then I do not see the point." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would have been better. It is all right." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "But you can know nothing of this?" companion. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "You saw the ventilator, too?" fire. You quite follow me?" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "That was it, sir." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't helping a boy to put up the shutters. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "No." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a absorbing." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Entirely." "No, but the enclosure is." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and ceremony." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." as yours." wedding?" kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I least a fellow-countryman. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door taking in every detail of the apartment. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open about here speaks of his kindness to him." question. to-night." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door situation." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "What will you do, then?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback forehead. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Stoke Moran?" said he. peculiar to him. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" business at Coburg Square is serious." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just about. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "You horrify me." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Pray do so." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest him to be an active member of the medical profession." where she found matters as described by the last witness. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. the King without delay." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Holmes." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. from the brougham. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, pity, because in other respects you would really have done very for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "We were both in the photograph." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," knowledge of the world."