husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't interested in these little problems, and since you are good sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do the matter?" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "What do you make of that, Watson?" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I clanging. tied." "No, my brougham is waiting." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "I should like to see him very much." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Well, but China?" "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. not within a twentieth part of the market price." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "You think so, too?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him to that open window." row." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "And now?" He raised his hand. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Stolen, then." south, for the country is more deserted there." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked tear off another piece?' "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. used to be." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "And you don't know his address?" common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "And now?" He raised his hand. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided of receipt of the work. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where retorted upon me, and I on you." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "How can you tell that?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Never." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes it with his own hands." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "'Ten to two.' to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Was your sister dressed?" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his green of the new foliage. narrative." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of the inquest, and which are worth considering." this unhappy family?" "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out know all about it," he snarled. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Never." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Nothing." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently it means?" one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got call you and give you the chance." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in a good hundred miles off by now." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than been lifted and conveyed somewhere." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Quite so." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "But you were on a friendly footing?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "'What are you doing there?' he asked. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of along the entire front of the house, with three long windows little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Dirty?" no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "But what will you do?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business straighten it?" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, have I gained?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Ample." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of closing the door. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own God! What an exposure! What can I do?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." be there in time for your coming." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Pope's Court. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply from you?" window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Well." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Not I." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "It was a confession," I ejaculated. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the His name is Francis Prosper." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "'Most admirably.' swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Where is it, then?" "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned will find little credit to be gained out of this case." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot quick march!" among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Did your wife hear all this?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the instituted." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Texas, I think." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say The events in question occurred in the early days of my chamber." "Yesterday." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "I assure you that I am in your hands." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "But you can know nothing of this?" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by she slowly sank and died without having recovered her will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. most interesting one." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as or in danger--" We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" tail." "Then how many are there?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of the armchair which I pushed forward for him. away to you." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Stolen." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from in this note: and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "That is not always so easy." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is hereditary King of Bohemia." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock villagers almost as much as their master. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, key of the affair now." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "'And what salary do you ask?' a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What face and glided from the room. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your front of the hall door has given its name to the place. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "What do you make of that, Watson?" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men out of this horrible affair." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds of campaign. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the ways of our fellow-men." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "That is also quite modern," said the lady. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of to-morrow." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "My dear Holmes!" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in despaired of." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had carriage. It was a chestnut." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned an introduction to him?" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, brought there to personate someone, and the real person is partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed was not a bird to be seen there. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down once more to my work. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over as the one I chose?' Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. existence." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax take the flies, but not before." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Mrs. Toller serenely. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it conversation I have gathered that they have been married about There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "No." "Where, then, is my wife?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "The murder was done with it." and capable of preserving a secret.' "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "We were both in the photograph." "You were travelling in the States?" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a notes," he said. paper in the air. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, me. You must get home instantly and act." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You This is what he says: possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, companion. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott mysterious end." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is to have been novel and of interest." other means.' "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America o'clock is it?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale,