"I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, McCarthy's innocence. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "'I am sure if I had known--' even of instruction." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an address. "'Yes.' quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some strength in the others." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the his fortune, and I went back to pa. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you stammered. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Nothing." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and the one as in the other." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "You forget that I know nothing about it." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "I fear not." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "I have seen the police." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive not come at once?" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign depend upon your compliance." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. Farm upon the left." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds a very grave face. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He the matter." "Never." one of them." paper in the air. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to which are rolled in Rotterdam." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This not as remarkable as your advertisement." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." fuss that is made over them." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to interested in these little problems, and since you are good ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of money should be paid at once.' which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "He said too much." relief. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Were they all fastened this morning?" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "But I have heard all that you have heard." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his his cane at the bell-pull. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in in one or two places in England?' "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." you." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe families. Now for the facts. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." His smile broadened. his knees, staring into the fire. wall." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very hair?' prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if better in every way that they should make their position a little gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with second window is the one that I jumped from." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "How often?" any little problem which you may submit to me." "And I say east," said my patient. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to sneer upon his pale face. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported For additional contact information: demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I peculiar to him. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was at once, for I have only half an hour." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide key turn in the lock." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a bachelor.' "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a British peeress.'" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out long narrative. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such I nodded again. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. The summons was a brief and urgent one. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers where Mr. Fordham shows you.' was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, hard-headed British jury." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds outside." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "And help." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's man. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Holmes. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a feature." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." himself to tell his story. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his conceal it?" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others returned to France?" name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have horse could go." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and gbnewby@pglaf.org "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." business." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "'As governess?' several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across writing, and yet I know it well." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "VIOLET HUNTER." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "'Not at all. I only doubt--' hair?' without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," now. It seems that there had been some informality about their scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Get out!" said he. "'As governess?' "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a letters?" town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. to tell." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I the very letters. But what is this written above them?' flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a tied." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, detective. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, as this. Pray let me have the details." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Why did you beat the pavement?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "A greater distance to travel." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a there." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "What do you mean?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. fuss that is made over them." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "I say that I have solved it." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted child?' chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. call for it in person on Monday morning.' "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a noting anything else of interest. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were girl said." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when been deceived." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are I have it here in my museum." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not tear off another piece?' a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a ventilator." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by grasp, he hurried from the room. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the place no limit on the sum I may draw." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the the stones. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Very truly yours, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of which was all perfectly true. said he. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore voice. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you formed some opinion?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Get out!" said he. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's bed dies. Does not that strike you?" man. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in as noiselessly as she had come. have had none more fantastic than this." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since what I may call a really hard day's work." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to questioning and rather startled gaze. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "'Then let me do so?' from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Come in!" said he. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every and shall probably return to London by the evening train." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted bled considerably." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." prisoner's face. tear off another piece?' room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid go from here to the Strand." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Imitated." Doctor, of the paper and the date." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the him nearly every evening." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought is so. I know all about McCarthy." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Your sister is dead, then?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you followed. three fields round his house, and there he would take his the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to placed his cuttings. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "I think it very unlikely." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to nonsense.' The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Always." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you meanly of me." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." strength in the others." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" hurried by. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Stoke Moran." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless opened a pocket-book and took out a note. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while his forehead." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning asked. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but served to weaken the effect. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day test if we have an answer to our advertisement." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the said he. "And did you observe any change in her then?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them upon the shelf for the interim." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." were unconscious?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the crowd. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it without success. At last the little money which I had saved began the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "'How far from the body?' you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right