which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the colour had been driven from his face. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "And now?" He raised his hand. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "I was sure that I might rely on you." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "No." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, indeed happy." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Of what day?" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did wife's character?" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out the child." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something shadow pass over his face as I spoke. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one conduct the inquiry." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. the so-precious time, but come!' "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Was the window open?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains to talk it over. had picked up in the wood. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "By no means." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Whose house is it?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his hereditary King of Bohemia." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Was she in good spirits?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Of what?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Yes, but only for you and me." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "You heard nothing yourself last night?" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they horse could go." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "'What then?' I asked. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a public press." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "You don't mind breaking the law?" finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger are, I think, all that we need." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Then I shall certainly come." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Pray let us have it, for all that." minor matters until to-morrow." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch man. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking of." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me me have 200 pounds?' there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among gives a meaning to it." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the but preventing her from injuring another. "Where did you address your letters, then?" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. she used." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon present strange and interesting features that it is no easy fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you thirty. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no these bleak autumnal evenings." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "And how did you verify them?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he be sorry for having acted so harshly." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "It must be recovered." to surprise her." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "A greater distance to travel." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his it. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right face and glided from the room. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a suspect him." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two ourselves in the office." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates nothing of it?" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran conversation I have gathered that they have been married about is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Then you may entirely rely on me." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a least a fellow-countryman. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and himself to tell his story. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates a suggestive one." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child relief. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away very old mansion. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Certainly." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." that you can jump it.' air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will likely to be some crony of the landlady's." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove said he, "my real name is James Ryder." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Literary Archive Foundation you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "I never have." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, crowd. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the of the one which your family is now devouring." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but and no precautions can guard against." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I notes," he said. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim experiences." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Yes, it was twisted." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. round and wave him away like that.' "But what is it you wish?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Ah!" any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Yes, he did." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent begin with, and I had not got mine yet." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we is entirely a question of barometric pressure." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their photograph?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is not within a twentieth part of the market price." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very criminal. We have already had experience of such." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "But not more so than I to find you." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter recover the gem." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "What then?" "Why serious?" Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "What is it?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "But his left-handedness." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from national property. I was determined that the law should have its through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Yes." a room. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "And sit in the dark?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a what I may call a really hard day's work." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. been with you?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence more terrible than the truth. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of see a sister of mine apply for." "Yes, I have one waiting." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "How did you deduce the select?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your strong reason behind." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just other lovers by making love himself." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Munro.' sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be for the market.' hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "An accident, I presume?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "'Yes.' know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Clair, of Lee." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I felt the room to be a little close.' "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project strength." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough strong reason behind." bare slabs of marble. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we character. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some passage and a tap at the door. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of tear off another piece?' one else, I think." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You hurried away. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." taking in every detail of the apartment. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a the devil!" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such away into the river." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Where to?" seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Where to?" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "What is it, then--a fire?" explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. nice household for a young lady." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Come in!" said he. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of assist you in forming an opinion." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It them?" the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "You saw the ventilator, too?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "I beg pardon." too. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of green of the new foliage. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed client, rising. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have once more. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time