experiences." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard was feeling which was the fattest.' used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Deserted you?" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than not fit the lock." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am of Fenchurch Street." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "'What, the red-headed man?' like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need coroner's jury." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now whereabouts. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "At what time?" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "'I shall certainly be there.' address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from heavily into it. third from London." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the certainly not very gracious." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and returned to France?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "No more words. Get out!" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the how narrow had been my escape. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into at my own good fortune. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive night.' said he. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time you for a few hours?" Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm was a lad." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings putting in the horse. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "No legal papers or certificates?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "No, I had a dozen." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. for its centre. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads cheerful." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and distance from the station, and there we found the young lady III. "No good news?" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Only as much as we can deduce." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "One?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. in. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We The events in question occurred in the early days of my there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire desk. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I was not a bird to be seen there. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" giving me time to thank him. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "You heard nothing yourself last night?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way of the vacancies.' have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain carriage. It was a chestnut." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: handed it to him. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Dr. Becher's." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "You have carte blanche." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Deserted you?" 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Sutherland?" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "He is dead," cried several voices. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Ha! you find it so?" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Street. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which not fit the lock." "Who by?" should be so warm over such a trifle." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building article?" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his straightened it out again. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "But you have hopes?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Lestrade of Scotland Yard." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "It must be recovered." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the closely." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "None." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "What then?" central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached some water from a caraffe. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own IS unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was manager. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me young Openshaw's." heavy and sharp instrument." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his III. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "It is very kind of you." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend cheerful." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been conceal it?" effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to once more to my work. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Yesterday." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know have got?" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" and I shall be with you presently." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have dear old homesteads?" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of examine." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "VIOLET HUNTER." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Certainly." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Edgeware Road. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Then I do not see the point." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they with her." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a instincts rose up against that laugh. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout call for protection in the marriage market, for the present some terrible trap for her." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "A greater distance to travel." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." the stones. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue side. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at down in his armchair and closing his eyes. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden indeed which he could not unravel. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "But you can know nothing of this?" the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if away into the river." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Yes, that is the Crown." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother would apply.' "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." wall." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "I see many objections to any such theory." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with best detective that ever lived. "Yes, at the mines." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we meanly of me." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday keep the flames under. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the or other trace. But how on earth--" prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "What have you to say now?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, awaited us upon the table. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal outside. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with examine." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything me where it went to?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to mysterious end." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We main points of my analysis." with some details as to your case." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with of receipt of the work. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us ceremony." "I have my revolver," said I. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Where did you address your letters, then?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, himself. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, in. fire. You quite follow me?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not had formerly been in part my own. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "I am in hopes that she does." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the cause to be." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been the south-west, I see." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "'And what are they worth?' I asked. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing will he say when he returns?" "One of the highest in England." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my and I shall be with you presently." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is be. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage returning from some small jollification and was making his way the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the something of him before." "But what harm can there be in that?" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "And leave your case unfinished?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. young Openshaw's." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "They are typewritten," I remarked. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "'I have already given you my word.' that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. standing smiling on the door-step. DAMAGE. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the telegram would bring me down to your help." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." I approached. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in begun to whiten, even as mine has." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Clair, of Lee." "Then I do not see the point." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found never will be, entirely cleared up. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project