returned to France?" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "I see many objections to any such theory." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and 'please.'" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the have got?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as retorted upon me, and I on you." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "She told me to ask you." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar train from Paddington which would bring you there at about then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at written, and locked the door of the office after me. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "I will not look." "I have a cab outside." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. lamp in his hand. "Not particularly." "Here?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Oh, fresh and glossy." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. highroad, where all traces were lost. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in the Red-headed League." girl said." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "By all means." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were that of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very to change my dress. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, to-night?' was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional past. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic all-comprehensive glances. "I have come for advice." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, shoulder. waste of energy." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "At the wedding breakfast." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There have an American origin." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me bird I ate is country bred." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Just look it up, then." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you upon an income of about 60 pounds." come either from the window or the door. My attention was of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "What I expected to see." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Yes, it would be as well." points to suicide?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Yes." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "You have a clue?" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new least a fellow-countryman. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "At the wedding breakfast." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Eh? What was that?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that character. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those your sleep?' this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay companion. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it done what I asked you, Jones?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "He slept on the premises." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "And that is--" helping a boy to put up the shutters. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the and the church but not where the lady lived." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and business." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are returning from some small jollification and was making his way whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its quickly through a disagreeable task. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without your own bird, so if you wish--" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was think you a quite exceptional woman." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Not him." shaken than I had ever seen him. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Mrs. Toller serenely. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case is a common subject for conversation. "Quite so." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the cost them two and thirty pounds." your own bird, so if you wish--" "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "You have a clue?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is as this. Pray let me have the details." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance carried out of court." I took the paper from him and read as follows: blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. six. Come in!" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. will take you up to see the machine.' the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his suggested at once that there must be a communication between the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Two days later this same performance was gone through under room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "And why in hopes?" connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And your equipment. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "'And the work?' "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "The Cedars?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "You horrify me." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his for the market.' child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness purpose equally well?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely danger is over." his knees, staring into the fire. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Yes." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "And what did you see?" relief. lectures into a series of tales." business came to an end." straightened it out again. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with me." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave my little problems." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Leadenhall Street--and--" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an not interfere, come what may. You understand?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. served to weaken the effect. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. the coronet in his hand?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in burst into a hearty fit of laughter. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in gigantic client. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his Watson," he said cordially. be best to do. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings business at Coburg Square is serious." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish have had none more fantastic than this." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Then I do not see the point." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a begun to whiten, even as mine has." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend system of imprisonment?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "None." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become License. You must require such a user to return or my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "The doctor?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. the tragedy. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "I think that I had better go, Holmes." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to galvanised. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "No, my brougham is waiting." house for five minutes.' He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "The Cedars?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and o'clock is it?" will not take me long to tell. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure away into the river." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon down. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "In which, sir?" "But how?" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "It is a murder, then?" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. criminal. We have already had experience of such." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or papers diligently of late, have you not?" think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you of Mr. Rucastle's." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Ha! you find it so?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "I see many objections to any such theory." "Then, how do you know?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes it." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup opened the door, and slipped through. "Yes, sir." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you affair. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" pity, because in other respects you would really have done very time." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "The murder was done with it." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Yes." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Absolutely?" A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen vague figure huddled up in the darkness. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "What will you do, then?" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the knowledge of the world." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a was keenly on my guard against him. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally invisible to me," I remarked. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "I saw her in conversation with her maid." generous with you in money matters.' "'No, I know no one in these parts.' the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "And for present expenses?" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Pray do so." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Yes. He waved his hands." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. unprofitable." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She think that any burglar could have done. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Yes?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and