In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the strong and stiff." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "I have a cab outside." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. and your relations to her." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of then?" for its centre. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "How did he come?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a father's young wife. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to past. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Nothing." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the evidence," I remarked. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which may never be exposed to such a temptation." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could have had none more fantastic than this." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very views." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid these bleak autumnal evenings." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A of." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for records." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as But Holmes shook his head gravely. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "You saw the ventilator, too?" I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, a few minutes he said that it would be all right. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are prisoner's face. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, there was no need for father to know." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, envelope. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal at once, for I have only half an hour." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside rooms." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Which are?" and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Very murderous indeed." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "None. Neville wrote those words." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' in. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for someone who had been in Australia." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me this remarkable episode. "It certainly sounds feasible." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you him to go away.' and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. electronic works "That is it on the dressing-table." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I so.' laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another the Assizes." persecution?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under his grey eyes. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" the devil!" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now highly," said Holmes. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "VIOLET HUNTER." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. galvanised. present." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." the very morning of the wedding." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "What, then, did Peterson do?" "The gentleman I describe." wedding?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Not yet." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "By no means." charged with?" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Which are?" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of papers on the sundial.'" down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than a monotonous occupation." purpose of examination. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "It is his hat." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want heavy and sharp instrument." the warnings." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper likely to be some crony of the landlady's." is acting for the best. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "'Certainly not.' star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and this poor creature." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in less than 26s. 4d. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and placed his cuttings. was used.' the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am I am not easy in my mind about them." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Entirely." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Well?" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." have one." "'Then let me do so?' but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it the little opening for the ventilator is." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly time." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of conclusions. in this note: these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, the bottom.' Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is events than those which have happened in my own family." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "But how will you look?" a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical garden below. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "I have solved it." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "In San Francisco, a year ago." "The doctor?" could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "No, I think that I'll take it." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "No." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, off." that, and I came down." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. until night should bring an explanation. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the them present such singular features as the strange train of "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at allusion to a rat. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "It was a confession," I ejaculated. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a weary and pale-looking. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "What! a murderous attack?" Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "And that is--" been able to understand it, in a very few words. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "What can you not understand?" been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again what is your own theory as to what took place?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "My stepfather's business papers." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having sofa. This way, please!" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall open." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul forebodings. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Then I am your man." sooner or later she must fall a victim. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY been with you?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no stammered. disturbance in my wife." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical against a man in the prime of life?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a here." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is front of me. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Come in!" said he. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Why, it's a dummy," said he. walking." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Very. But will he see it?" over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I fluttered off among the others. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were was already answered. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the I am not easy in my mind about them." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm straightened it out again. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed my former friend and companion. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Nothing?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor I nodded again. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "This concluded the examination of the witness." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "I was certainly surprised to find you there." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Not in the least." "Well, but China?" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "'And the work?' "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, Clair, of Lee." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "It was." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my that I may have something better before very many minutes are and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "My last client of the sort was a king." "'Yes, sir.' copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "The doctor?" "I will try. What is it?" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! It may be so in this case, also." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. power." "I cannot as yet see any connection." might have a private word with us. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the eavesdroppers?' incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as take the flies, but not before." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, the best of training." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little of note-paper. It read in this fashion: also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? ceremony." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Leave Paddington by the 11:15." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of suspect him." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" to where he stood hid behind the curtain. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." seen the man in the road." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but chance." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was the general public were present, then?" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Will you go?" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "And I say east," said my patient. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which