walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I noting anything else of interest. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is question. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "My photograph." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are cigar and let me expound." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Then I can wait in the next room." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any third from London." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Have you it here?" "Perfectly so." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely matter." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and locked. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of brandy and water within his reach. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." society." whole matter to your consideration." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing seven miles from Eyford Station.' tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, and I shall be with you presently." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. appeared upon the scene." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not him, that man would not have given me such complete information on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my writing, and yet I know it well." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "But how did you gain them?" your room." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "I cannot say that I have." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "'Most admirably.' English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a that you can jump it.' one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he do.' "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little gbnewby@pglaf.org which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "She walked into the breakfast-room." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the not come at once?" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in stammered. at once, for I have only half an hour." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, generous with you in money matters.' distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when The events in question occurred in the early days of my my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no started for the Temple to see my husband. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, bare slabs of marble. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and hereditary King of Bohemia." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the hand, madam?" "There are none." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "You don't mind breaking the law?" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered did not hear it also.' me upon any point which I do not make clear." "It is no ordinary one." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I the salesman. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. to affect your life." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of society." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be which should have the effect of calling the attention of the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as 11:15.' begin with, and I had not got mine yet." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. three fields round his house, and there he would take his waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "And your father? Did you tell him?" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw in his power. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My as he remarks, very much against the son." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some the Friday. Was it to be in church?" brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into made him keep the appointment." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I again, where I was soon asleep. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." papers." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "I know where it is." article?" be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. this as likely?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would present." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just along the entire front of the house, with three long windows a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Here?" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" in his power. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and cheerful." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the the side-table." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Game for a morning drive?" "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" future lives." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't dead, shall be safe with us." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Certainly." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building of a light. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed intimate personal affairs in this public manner." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative and prosperity to your house. Good-night." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are held up the lantern and gazed about him. "No." "Perhaps I have." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, electronic works still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Certainly, madam." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I II. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." one of the states of the Union." companion quietly. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner straightened it out again. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much entirely lost his self-respect." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "But how will you look?" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of one's self under obligations.' assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Not in a good cause." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "I know where it is." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out the armchair which I pushed forward for him. for the market.' Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Can I be of assistance?" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, in his hands." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you hereditary King of Bohemia." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad of the way of danger. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." she might be summoned. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman upon a handsome competence. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "He is still with you, I presume?" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her questionable one." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always your Highness to the police-station?" the date of his supposed suicide." "That was it, sir." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep in a very precise fashion." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "I don't believe it." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for himself. "And what did you see?" has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "But you were on a friendly footing?" noble correspondent could be. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "About a month then." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' as he folded up the epistle. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to questioning and rather startled gaze. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so that there was nothing in it, after all." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said if she died from some sudden fright." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, the morning and make my own way in the world.' returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "That you are never beaten." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "'Is 4 pounds a week.' in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the until night should bring an explanation. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "'Never,' said I. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "It certainly sounds feasible." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend and laid it on the table. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a of Fenchurch Street." "I have my revolver," said I. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and most interesting one." IS The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about strength." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "What!" he roared. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Of Friday, June 19th." "Nothing." "What! You do not mean bodies?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Pray tell us what has happened to you." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and breakfast and whispered something to her husband. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my the ceiling. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your bedroom door." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "The rest you will leave in our hands." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the during which he might have communicated with his friend the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to introspective fashion. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but allusion to a rat. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "And it is--" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" at my own good fortune. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "No, my brougham is waiting." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower where we are going." "In which, sir?" seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up looking up at the numbers of the houses." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. like gravel from a pit.' tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes get her out of the way." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "What then?" "Then the page we have seen--" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "But I have heard all that you have heard." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and