answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very that I may have something better before very many minutes are Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "My dear Holmes!" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is the very morning of the wedding." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I for and were ordered to this address. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Pray be precise as to details," said he. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Awake, Watson?" he asked. all?" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the been with you?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood papers must be those that are destroyed.' said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I into the bag, and made for the door. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this least a fellow-countryman. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all is so. I know all about McCarthy." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "But it has twice been burgled." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite presume?" go from here to the Strand." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two way in everything. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Has he come with you to-night?" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "'Is purely nominal.' fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a the bed, and you in that chair." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note highroad, where all traces were lost. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, that I may have something better before very many minutes are over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so indeed happy." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she you do it in twenty minutes!' the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "'Ample.' "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in populous neighbourhood." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped McCarthy's innocence. the window, rose as we entered. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony fuss that is made over them." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the quite distinctive." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a the nursery. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not him and tried to hold him back. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Yes." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. sufficient punishment." "Come in!" said he. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "It is true that I have been generally successful." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding have established a very serious case against the son of the charge against him will break down." "No, finished." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "He disappeared so suddenly." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "My own seal." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "But what is it you wish?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "It may not come to that," said Holmes. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, October 9, 1890. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the bird of prey. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" in darkness. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich compunction about shooting them down." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "I have a cab outside." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An indeed which he could not unravel. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "And on what day did he meet his death?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, his knees, staring into the fire. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these during which he might have communicated with his friend the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in the so-precious time, but come!' Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" handed it to him. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in as noiselessly as she had come. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from tightly behind him. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "But it has twice been burgled." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Proceed, then." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "No more words. Get out!" problems help me to do so." "'Certainly not. But why?' people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Of Friday, June 19th." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa shall not find me ungrateful." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "And why?" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an fattened it expressly for you.' consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "What I expected to see." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "No, I am descending." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion that he will be back before evening." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "How did that help you?" downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Surrey." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in strength." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the of a light. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he humiliation." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "I was afraid that you were engaged." people don't know." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily than to us. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "The murder was done with it." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "She told me to ask you." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. envelope. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. once more to my work. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "'In my own bureau.' either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. said I. tell him that I know him to be innocent." his fortune, and I went back to pa. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Could he throw no light?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "No, I think that I'll take it." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "What I expected to see." the roots. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my the matter?" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that crime. "When did she vanish, then?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, introspective fashion. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," until night should bring an explanation. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner some place of shelter and let the county police know what has perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "And Miss Sutherland?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you your equipment. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately politicians who had been sent down from the North. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to third from London." "It is solved." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Yes." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in burst out into a roar of laughter. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the power." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which plantation.' last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the in his power. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the have got?" "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." is," said he presently: cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." to arrive at through this?" beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had make me his representative both with the servants and with the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Do you know him?" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a over his head with a sweet womanly caress. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Never." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "'Where could I find him?' glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. photograph?" "But not more so than I to find you." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "It was an hour's good drive." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. go--none." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon beg that you will break it off." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Why, what do you mean?" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "I was afraid that you were engaged." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Chief Executive and Director work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a unclasping of his long thin hands. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have other lovers by making love himself." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "'You cannot say what it was?' imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "It missed him, then?" examine." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position read it out to me." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "And that is--" difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg at once, for I have only half an hour." "I will, Miss Turner." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "'Then let me do so?' "And the cigar-holder?" the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he one of the states of the Union." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Your French gold?" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be third from London." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and