plantation.' be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be that I can to serve you." visitors." hands. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "I never have." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in ill-usage at the hands of fortune. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "And it is--" the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle bore every mark of being an average commonplace British wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" James Windibank. Voilà tout!" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in village inn over there?" I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time lumber-room." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "This concluded the examination of the witness." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "And leave your case unfinished?" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a child?' sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "I never have." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning My friend smiled. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "The murder was done with it." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, in this note: "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the security.' "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and did not hear it also.' chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was the coroner come to?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to next day. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be carpenter." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "It's nothing of the kind." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "But your client--" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than the matter." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." shall not find me ungrateful." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. grasp, he hurried from the room. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "What have you to say now?" It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. and looked back. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a ran thus: to have that photograph." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with appointment with me for six o'clock?" returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "There is the writing." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "So it appears." extraordinary contortions. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Pray do so." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my of your young ladies.' dates and names. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what details." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Yes. He waved his hands." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Dr. Becher's." you for a few hours?" "It is his hat." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "My private note-paper." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who room. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him power." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "But I have heard all that you have heard." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Indeed! Whose, then?" and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "But of what society?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage you came in." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at your only hope of safety." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "I assure you that I am in your hands." "And I say east," said my patient. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "My dear Holmes!" pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Look there!" said he. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, must be when I saw the door open.' buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Yes." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "It must be recovered." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you becomes even more simple." case-book, which he consulted. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at it." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some man. I know him from the photograph." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Oh, the cause is excellent!" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "There are none." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless been." have got?" the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one better grown goose." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "That's no good." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is himself to hunt down. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, me." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use make me his representative both with the servants and with the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet you do it in twenty minutes!' "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. events, Mr. Windibank!" presented which may be striking and bizarre without being The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not have I gained?" then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. lamp. strong and stiff." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "'What, the red-headed man?' endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "By no means." "I was mad--insane." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB situation." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not characteristics, but those are the more obvious." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others excitement. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "We have tried and failed." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt this man was intellectual?" while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into key of the affair now." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Very truly yours, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "But what will you do?" on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "'No, I know no one in these parts.' the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Imitated." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, shall not find me ungrateful." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the generous with you in money matters.' "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he waste of energy." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of foot. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was in your London, you will know that the office of the company is parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "You forget that I know nothing about it." to-morrow." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a mysterious end." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in to take care of herself." "It is half-past ten now." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Dirty?" "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" telegram would bring me down to your help." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." in. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "The murder was done with it." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of seven miles from Eyford Station.' liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us shoulder. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point done what I asked you, Jones?" saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left respectable self." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. the matter." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at direction." the nursery. "That is easily got." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes I shall communicate with you." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "None. Neville wrote those words." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the come either from the window or the door. My attention was glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon a very grave face. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions could go. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in Young McCarthy must be got off, however." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "I do." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Texas, I think." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" interested in these little problems, and since you are good the house with me." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "What can you not understand?" asked. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "What do you mean?" any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that his fortune, and I went back to pa. and it need not interfere very much with one's other had this final quarrel? your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the criminal. We have already had experience of such." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Surrey." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with fire. You quite follow me?" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the narrative." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Have you it here?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, case-book, which he consulted. or in danger--" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen McCarthy's innocence. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I