desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a to where he stood hid behind the curtain. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Was he the only applicant?" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking death." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Yes." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' obstinate." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. introspective fashion. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. hair?' her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before populous neighbourhood." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, at home. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we as noiselessly as she had come. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. morning." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for shag which I had seen upon the previous night. manager. "Ten will be early enough." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "What! Had he lost his wife?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! entirely lost his self-respect." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you to surprise her." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. retorted upon me, and I on you." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the said Mr. Holder. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We soul! here is her carriage at the door." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all have not had my rubber." "'In my own bureau.' imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Nothing?" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: said he. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed him nearly every evening." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have geese which you supplied to the Alpha." I have it here in my museum." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage golden eyeglasses. "You have carte blanche." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and him. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "It is possible." "But how?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local locked." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the certainly not very gracious." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "I see many objections to any such theory." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "No, I think that I'll take it." "It missed him, then?" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are that there was nothing in it, after all." room. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Yes, there are nearly always some there." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. would then never go into court at all." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and look dissatisfied." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, populous neighbourhood." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "It is half-past ten now." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would since then to throw any light upon what became of him." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY of the vacancies.' 11:15.' have established a very serious case against the son of the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "This concluded the examination of the witness." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a You want to know what became of those geese?" learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "'Quite sure, dad.' "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that weighed down with some great anxiety. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Which are?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many new duties?' Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be of his shoulders. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "And what did you learn from him?" "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "No, but the enclosure is." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the them present such singular features as the strange train of "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales of." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I to-night?" I asked. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to your most interesting statement." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. said I. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you children over to America with him, so that I found myself without know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "I cannot as yet see any connection." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless lumber-room." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent 1.F. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Stoke Moran?" said he. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any and the church but not where the lady lived." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "'As governess?' became a certainty. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My completely overtopped every other consideration that we both he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to in. papers must be those that are destroyed.' rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "I cannot tell." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone British peeress.'" the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "'I shall certainly be there.' away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Is he quiet?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the beyond words. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step on in his house." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed roused himself from his reverie. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "A call for help, you thought?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. tell him that I know him to be innocent." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of highroad, where all traces were lost. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have the running down." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel companion imperturbably. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without other, as fresh and trim as possible. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should will he say when he returns?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Not yet." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Her father is very rich?" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Here?" was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Was there a secret marriage?" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." direction." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry have established a very serious case against the son of the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "I have hopes." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant for and were ordered to this address. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "To the police?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Where did he live, then?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the case-book, which he consulted. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few charged with?" "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an memory. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door that he will be back before evening." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "'Ten to two.' iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Then I am your man." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: been." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Nothing." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "What, then, did Peterson do?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running during the last few years, and there are many noble families to that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "A thing like a cleaver," said he. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' you." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the is entirely a question of barometric pressure." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime 'please.'" lamp. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Breckinridge is his name." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were when you have done it." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "A client, then?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "It is very kind of you." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His when your master had gone out." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning danger is over." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She bill, which interests me deeply." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" never will be, entirely cleared up. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "The doctor?" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," Have you good authority for what you say?" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." detective. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Thank you. Pray proceed." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward frequently gained my first real insight into the character of ready to-morrow?' They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "I will, Miss Turner." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite October 9, 1890. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Chief Executive and Director Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any DAMAGE. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a are, I think, all that we need." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some fact, we may call it conclusive." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is ordinary clothes on?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "And why?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found Holmes' room. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. him nearly every evening." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from never to learn it at all." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with little trying to do so much typewriting?" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by into her hand at the door and which lured her within their has little to do with my story." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Upon what point?" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the stepfather?" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the