I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "'Tell me all about it,' said I. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Well, some hundreds of times." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "But how did you gain them?" importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "I should like to see him very much." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the your bag." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this least a most suspicious remark." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one ways of our fellow-men." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. your only hope of safety." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the begun to whiten, even as mine has." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." about. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working felt the room to be a little close.' "'Stolen!' he cried. "Stolen." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of them?" a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the situation." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Who was the criminal, then?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Yes." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very your sleep?' he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "'I have already given you my word.' her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the business at Coburg Square is serious." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have developed." congratulate you again." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "You'll never persuade me to believe that." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' better in every way that they should make their position a little closely." come either from the window or the door. My attention was few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he maiden herself was most instructive." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of the devil!" "'And what salary do you ask?' stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready village inn over there?" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite Gutenberg-tm License. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster events than those which have happened in my own family." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on public press." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a visitors." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "I will, Miss Turner." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson people in all walks of life. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Yes." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "My opinion is in no way altered." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his him to go away.' that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in leave you to your papers for a little." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in feature." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that in the dead of the night?' "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the tapping his fingers upon the table. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, back into the street. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "It is to him that this trophy belongs." opened the door, and slipped through. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Witness: I must still refuse. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the photograph a cabinet?" and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, might have a private word with us. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "When did she vanish, then?" "Dirty?" of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "But I have heard all that you have heard." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "And your mother is alive?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "To the police?" "I cannot as yet see any connection." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "You saw the ventilator, too?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in breakfast and whispered something to her husband. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as over his head with a sweet womanly caress. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "It looks newer than the other things?" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, shoulder. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms instituted." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Breckinridge is his name." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no where we are going." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it to where he stood hid behind the curtain. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I there in twenty minutes." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Upon what point?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold outside." ran thus: London for the present?" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the heavily into it. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Precisely so. But how--" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent and I shall be with you presently." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to swore that no one else had been in the front room during the a room. "What!" he roared. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the hour." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and our word." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging opened a pocket-book and took out a note. as this. Pray let me have the details." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "How on earth--" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an of the one which your family is now devouring." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott I think that I could be of assistance to you." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about opportunities to fix the problem. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my words came to my lips. "One of his hands." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "It's nothing of the kind." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you singular points about the case. What did the police think of the may have an influence upon European history." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and question. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really conversation I have gathered that they have been married about machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "But you were on a friendly footing?" "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent overpowering excitement and concern. has little to do with my story." "Come in!" said he. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "What can it mean?" I gasped. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a until night should bring an explanation. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of breakfast and whispered something to her husband. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to overpowering excitement and concern. "To the police?" "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. know that the truth is known." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as empty. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a should be so warm over such a trifle." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "The vanishing of the lady." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "'In my own bureau.' been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place manager. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Never." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Not him." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to followed. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' the Friday. Was it to be in church?" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing both be extremely obliged.' in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a have accepted such a situation. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in crackling voice. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for felt?" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it think that he is innocent?" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. golden eyeglasses. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Bought." people don't know." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "My dear Holmes!" the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "'I am sure that I do not know.' actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make I shall continue with my miserable story. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three amused." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to the best of training." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "It is no ordinary one." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Dr. Becher's." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "'You cannot say what it was?' "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "That you are never beaten." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the child?' sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon his knees, staring into the fire. "I should like to see him very much." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "I know where it is." window when the police appeared." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' into the bag, and made for the door. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land conduct the inquiry." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. round and wave him away like that.' stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and