front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "It is very clear." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. house for five minutes.' remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House get her out of the way." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was unkempt, staring out at me. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his trifles." strong and stiff." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "I should wish to." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with appeared upon the scene." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that bonnet, and went out." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he people don't know." "Of what day?" blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be was the fact that his father should, according to his account, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Well, it is a possible supposition." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "And why in hopes?" like gravel from a pit.' my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "And what did you see?" spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "You are hungry," I remarked. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, the station." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Never." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Yes." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was how narrow had been my escape. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "It must be recovered." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he that I may have something better before very many minutes are layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "You horrify me!" The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Where, then, is my wife?" murdered man." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the helping a boy to put up the shutters. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect tension within him. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and ran thus: through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Project Gutenberg-tm works. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace been deceived." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most to arrive at through this?" he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to perplexity from it to my illustrious client. pound a week." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You into the room. noble correspondent could be. "I shall most certainly do so." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which carpenter." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a outside. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very door?" usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "'About the same.' "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Deserted you?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the of his shoulders. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the murdered man." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "He is still with you, I presume?" matter." written. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "What of the rat, then?" "But to whom?" possible that we could bring him back to her? sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Can I be of assistance?" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six points to suicide?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the the matter?" connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a as he folded up the epistle. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "That sounds a little paradoxical." upon an income of about 60 pounds." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how carpenter." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, you came in." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, fattened it expressly for you.' you in your example." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Stolen." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, very morning of my second wedding." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "And the cigar-holder?" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Yes. He waved his hands." good for you to do.' About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace developed." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." morning." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very fattened it expressly for you.' "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "But she will refuse." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my nothing of it?" commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Yes, but only for you and me." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and the iron safe, which he closed upon it. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into what is your own theory as to what took place?" instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the families. Now for the facts. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not over his head with a sweet womanly caress. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have once more for Briony Lodge. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the how narrow had been my escape. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal before the coroner and the police-court." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Well, some hundreds of times." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a status with the IRS. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange it." second." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she footfalls from the street. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this about here speaks of his kindness to him." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." night.' said he. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it held up the lantern and gazed about him. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Upon what point?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 undoubtedly my uncle's." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making third from London." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "The landlord of the Alpha." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "I assure you that I am in your hands." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her good for you to do.' The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for approach us with offers to donate. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, the armchair which I pushed forward for him. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Certainly." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "This concluded the examination of the witness." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is imbecility!" he cried. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare written. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a I approached. trying to your nerves." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you is acting for the best. there was no need for father to know." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did the very letters. But what is this written above them?' days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "No, but the enclosure is." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Come in!" said Holmes. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his I leave." "What! a murderous attack?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "You think that he is dead?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Did you observe the colour?" undoubtedly my uncle's." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "And your father? Did you tell him?" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Yes, sir." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Did your wife hear all this?" existence." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "And that is--" naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "If I can be of use." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Breckinridge is his name." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered as the one I chose?' photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached of the efforts of the United States government and of the better by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an is worth.' are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Precisely so. But how--" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "What is it, then--a fire?" George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my noting anything else of interest. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I father's place of business?" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, absorbing." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "No." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "'Certainly not.' the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed chamber." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Your French gold?" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's felt the room to be a little close.' "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Well, but China?" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of