of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is astonishment. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until sake, don't!" steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "And what did you learn from him?" He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all row." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and is acting for the best. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," I was concerned in it." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Then he might have called to you?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in must compliment you." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were forehead. was already answered. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your to-night?' It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed sound at heart." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition writers could invent nothing more crude." nothing with him." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My crime." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Seven!" I answered. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you there is a decided draught." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of manager. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Which are?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped congenial hunt. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "I say it is." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. clanging. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client certainly not very gracious." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: and a shock of very red hair. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Lee, in the county of Kent." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" the room while you explain this matter?" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "I see many objections to any such theory." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of the morning and make my own way in the world.' "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of lost nothing by them." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in there is a decided draught." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and had formerly been in part my own. nonsense.' deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." as noiselessly as she had come. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "At half-wages, in fact." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I troubles have been weighing upon his mind. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me beyond words. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of I think that I could be of assistance to you." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "'Never.' ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank as this. Pray let me have the details." "I will not look." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." works. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! one's self under obligations.' stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I them present such singular features as the strange train of "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Very much so." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, unprofitable." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the were unconscious?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock overpowering excitement and concern. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "And now?" I asked. all-comprehensive glances. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is than to us. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." indeed happy." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to the coronet in his hands?" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to upon an income of about 60 pounds." "But your client--" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Oh, yes, easily." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. tail." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "What of the rat, then?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' as yours." horse could go." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a waste of energy." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "She told me to ask you." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's client, rising. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was you in your example." "What do you mean?" someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the his huge brown hands. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider your equipment. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "What then?" remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the strode off upon his way. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "But I have heard all that you have heard." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place just ask you whether you had heard it.' general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the that he has suffered." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from arrangements." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "And why in hopes?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had breakfast?" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind to have that photograph." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a she slowly sank and died without having recovered her tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." call for it in person on Monday morning.' "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "'Never.' and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always noise which awoke you from your sleep?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Sutherland?" "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that attention." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His man. I know him from the photograph." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Very much so." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. not, dad?" she asked. "Pray let us have it, for all that." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than confronted him. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them throat." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt I have it here in my museum." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At tell me that you intended to go into harness." do you make of it all?" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call other, as fresh and trim as possible. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated easy-going way." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man imbecility!" he cried. in the dead of the night?' company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "One of the highest in England." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an said he. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up you." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at his face. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight matter." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "It is no ordinary one." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my annoyance, but no jest. the very morning of the wedding." him!" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets you." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are when your master had gone out." "Perhaps we may make them less so." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so writing, and yet I know it well." "Was he the only applicant?" "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "No, finished." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, photograph?" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any burst into a hearty fit of laughter. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "In what way?" asked Holmes. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the there!' Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from McCarthy." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "'Yes, I promise.' Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "But I am all in the dark." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "We have tried and failed." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "No." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Not I." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the with you alone." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Ten will be early enough." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Do you receive much company?" he asked. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the room while you explain this matter?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "To an English lawyer named Norton." the dangers which encompass me." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "I am armed." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he following enigmatical notices: The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." mystery may be cleared along those lines." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in despaired of."