possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some relief. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance again before evening." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. made his money." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward sneer upon his pale face. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him friends, not even his own brother. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such and prosperity to your house. Good-night." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed towards the blaze. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue hopeless attempt at recovering them." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed ready to-morrow?' "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon lumber-room." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Witness: I must still refuse. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself trying to your nerves." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. him and tried to hold him back. of your young ladies.' could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly second window is the one that I jumped from." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "But of what society?" like that before?" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a from the brougham. at my remark. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "It is possible." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Then what has happened to him?" home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no cigars in the box." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" crime." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day did not hear it also.' amused." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "What do you make of that, Watson?" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while the south-west, I see." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It less than 26s. 4d. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "'No, I know no one in these parts.' peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than shoulder. is a common subject for conversation. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" prepare for the new role I have to play." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. mystery!" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said was lame." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "That was it, sir." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "And when will you call?" skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when the salesman. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to whole matter to your consideration." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope individual and becomes the badge of a society." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions my little problems." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "I cannot imagine." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town and no precautions can guard against." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the the Assizes." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on all that?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." have got?" the loss of it. later, upon the night of May 2nd." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "'I have heard so.' it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in an introduction to him?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each will take you up to see the machine.' would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "The doctor?" morning." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "How on earth--" "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." in a very precise fashion." "Yes, from Horsham." your sleep?' "'In my own bureau.' would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "'And what salary do you ask?' and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "No, thank goodness, she did not." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment said he at last. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was 11:15.' in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert tell me that you intended to go into harness." 11:15.' and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for and shall probably return to London by the evening train." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "And you can do nothing until then?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the think that he is innocent?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "About a month then." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our laugh and put his lips to my ear. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it fled together." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down of his shoulders. "We were both in the photograph." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "I was mad--insane." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "And Miss Sutherland?" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small footfalls from the street. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' emerged. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "You were travelling in the States?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of The events in question occurred in the early days of my ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY looking up at the numbers of the houses." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Was she in good spirits?" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Yes, all." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy past. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and the side-table." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "One of his hands." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her cause to be." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. foresight and the moral retrogression?" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "But it has twice been burgled." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may touch that coronet?' hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and trying to your nerves." delighted to hear it," he said. had formerly been in part my own. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." could gather together that I was able to avert another public records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the very morning of the wedding." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "By no means." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "And you can do nothing until then?" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, now. It seems that there had been some informality about their lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of could not have written that. It is the German who is so "And what did you learn from him?" get her out of the way." been shamefully used." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography as yours." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Who by?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Only as much as we can deduce." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor rose-bushes. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Yes, I have one waiting." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the indeed happy." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without danger is over." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all business in the City. She little knew what. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole the coronet in his hand?" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent success. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "You were travelling in the States?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be and I shall be with you presently." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can had picked up in the wood. she might be summoned. me. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of round and wave him away like that.' much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to presented more singular features than that which was associated again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "No, I am descending." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But not interfere, come what may. You understand?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "That is also quite modern," said the lady. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must success. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction could gather together that I was able to avert another public horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "I promise," said Holmes. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. him nearly every evening." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side of a light. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a absorbing." question," said Holmes, smiling. to talk it over. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil as the one I chose?' "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Has he come with you to-night?" "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the photograph?" "No." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "And what did you learn from him?" "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by sooner or later she must fall a victim. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well was the fact that his father should, according to his account, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "At half-wages, in fact." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & events, Mr. Windibank!" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson,