pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know meanly of me." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day society." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Was he the only applicant?" is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell it means?" very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the him!" little adventures." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "I should be immensely obliged to you." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Was the window open?" success. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "An accident, I presume?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "'Stolen!' he cried. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they in a very precise fashion." unprofitable." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Seven!" I answered. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Holmes rather sternly. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we grasp, he hurried from the room. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Quite so." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "I should like to see him very much." matter." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "May I see it?" window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do opened the door, and slipped through. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "What, then, did Peterson do?" roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "But not more so than I to find you." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I may have an influence upon European history." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each details should find their way into the papers. Inspector had died away into the silence from which it rose. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "That is not always so easy." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of in this way: a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Then, as to money?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of not, dad?" she asked. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "A greater distance to travel." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, This is what he says: and no precautions can guard against." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "I beg pardon." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Yes, at the mines." them?" and that he would see to anything that turned up. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes as he folded up the epistle. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of dead, shall be safe with us." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." new acquaintance to Baker Street. "I would pay ten." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it is now desirous of getting those letters back." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot roused himself from his reverie. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his you." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Not him." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that for and were ordered to this address. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "What! You do not mean bodies?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have characteristics, but those are the more obvious." row." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the the room while you explain this matter?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. events than those which have happened in my own family." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and them?" consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Heh?' when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Pool. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its to surprise her." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing you?" of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in carpenter." and no precautions can guard against." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "And Miss Sutherland?" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "None." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were trying to your nerves." "No." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our straighten it?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases to Leatherhead. residence of the great financier. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he straighten it?" assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "One?" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the before, for it was considerably after midnight. Count Von Kramm." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "He said that you could solve anything." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. and all of them with the keenest interest. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my father's young wife. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "My Mary? Impossible!" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "That is unusual in a young girl." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found case before our client came into the room." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "'A dozen yards or so.' metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "'Which dealer's?' your most interesting statement." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and noting anything else of interest. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he this Miss Turner." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small again before evening." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "He is still with you, I presume?" lamp in his hand. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an carried out of court." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His said Mr. Holder. "But how?" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "To an end?" "He is still with you, I presume?" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "'I have already given you my word.' glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The of it with the greatest attention. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive should be so warm over such a trifle." politicians who had been sent down from the North. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' maid will bring up your coffee." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and leaning back in his chair. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young purpose equally well?" heavy and sharp instrument." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over colour had been driven from his face. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it it were putty." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "What will you do, then?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, against a man in the prime of life?" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. it with his own hands." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "You have carte blanche." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "It came here." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I made his money." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Yes." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "You horrify me." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "A thing like a cleaver," said he. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, appeared upon the scene." fled together." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of this Miss Turner." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges felt?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the case before our client came into the room." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. one's self under obligations.' certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made me have 200 pounds?' to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Yes." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the place of silver." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across quite distinctive." "Perhaps I have." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Thank you. And your address?" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "I say it is." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Only as much as we can deduce." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the