and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able means taking possession of that which another person has a prior would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "A thing like a cleaver," said he. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it we went to search for him, face downward in a little unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned my room." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 jewels which you have stolen?' "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the head. So long, then!" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord suggested at once that there must be a communication between the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "I know where it is." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Yes, all." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further papers on the sundial.'" evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Did you become engaged then?" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who grasp, he hurried from the room. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "He said that you could solve anything." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "You saw the ventilator, too?" column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Dr. Gregory B. Newby surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, read over the extraordinary announcement. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but God! What an exposure! What can I do?" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to your sleep?' mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "My Mary? Impossible!" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "'Yes.' "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "From his hat?" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." with frightened eyes at his accuser. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "I should wish to." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall to where he stood hid behind the curtain. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon your most interesting statement." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," do.' nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "ARAT," I read. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. tension within him. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Very much so." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from awaited us upon the table. the morning and make my own way in the world.' out." row." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "You have a clue?" cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from see a sister of mine apply for." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and second window is the one that I jumped from." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that walking." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was death." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, to me. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of not come at once?" "So I have heard." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had me. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she unclasping of his long thin hands. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished and effective." house for five minutes.' "The best possible." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Where, then?" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. little trying to do so much typewriting?" stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. directly by questioning you." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" will not take me long to tell. deduce something from that?" in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average in. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "You will not go there first?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "And how did you verify them?" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he interests were the same as his." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't there when the Rucastles went away." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Of what?" should be so warm over such a trifle." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from drove away. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "No." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, papers." him. yards of it?' "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined and the church but not where the lady lived." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A of his shoulders. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "I will not look." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "You think so, too?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which in the dead of the night?' Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "I was sure that I might rely on you." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Then I shall certainly come." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a thin, with a long, sharp nose?" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert lips." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she arrangements." "No good news?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, lost his Christmas dinner." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "But how will you look?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the fattened it expressly for you.' companion imperturbably. round with crates and massive boxes. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a of it with the greatest attention. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place her also." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this in a friendly supper." "But how did you gain them?" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Of what?" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall companion quietly. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which recall any case within my experience which looked at the first fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "To an end?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I call you and give you the chance." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. taking in every detail of the apartment. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Very. But will he see it?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between look dissatisfied." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "She told me to ask you." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account with some details as to your case." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls dates and names. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at McCarthy." his face. "And how in the world did you find them?" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "But we can't all be." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles of the one which your family is now devouring." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "And is that all?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Why did you pick him?" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her will be renamed. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but formed some opinion?" "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness like gravel from a pit.' himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Yes." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "The King of Scandinavia." "He slept on the premises." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave it." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I more solid." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding words came to my lips. "Witness: It was. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your highly," said Holmes. carriage. It was a chestnut." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an third from London." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" shoulder; "he's all right." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "What?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "My photograph." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "But what harm can there be in that?" possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk my room." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "You are hungry," I remarked. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." the ceiling. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, 11:15.' "Is he quiet?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.'