Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At question you as to those details which seem to me to be most He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an annoyance, but no jest. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "What I expected to see." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each indeed which he could not unravel. there has been an enclosure here!" photograph?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I anything to a woman, for she would have her way." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He excitement. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his of them has the shutters up.' small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Sutherland. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and and I shall be with you presently." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who October 9, 1890. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten thin legs towards the fire. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider corner of the building. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Cross for the Continent." lamp in his hand. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up thin, with a long, sharp nose?" gone. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "I don't say that. Perhaps." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I to tell." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." until night should bring an explanation. IS "I promise," said Holmes. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your hard-headed British jury." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Yes." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "What! a murderous attack?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated ran thus: conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "No." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "'Oh, no.' trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "My dear Holmes!" implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I I leave." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, is four-and-twenty." made him keep the appointment." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" entirely devoid of interest." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was Holmes' face clouded over. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard started for the Temple to see my husband. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a his forehead." "No, thank goodness, she did not." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her hereditary King of Bohemia." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps annoyance, but no jest. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "To the police?" of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a appeared upon the scene." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time a very grave face. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "She walked into the breakfast-room." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to undoubtedly my uncle's." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was empty. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the gives a meaning to it." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five pity, because in other respects you would really have done very a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. before the coroner and the police-court." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help with her." "Why did you beat the pavement?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Sholtos." think that any burglar could have done. became a certainty. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "No, I had a dozen." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera most important business. It is probable that he will be away all Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would into the bag, and made for the door. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "I shall most certainly do so." clang of the bell. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Yesterday." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "This photograph!" with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place your most interesting statement." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but so far?" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may guilty parties." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "I am armed." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. as the one I chose?' are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, to-night?" I asked. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from Holmes rather sternly. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had the night.' that he will be back before evening." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the someone who had been in Australia." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with congratulate you again." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my only touch the interest." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Quite so." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project exactly what you advise." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself not fit the lock." "Was there a secret marriage?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. he bowed and left the room without another word. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the little opening for the ventilator is." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Surrey." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. business came to an end." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his that there was nothing in it, after all." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell and looked back. present." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. conceal it?" "Yes." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "I shall be delighted." "It's nothing of the kind." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Ah, but I was recommended to you." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Pray tell us what has happened to you." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "I think that I had better go, Holmes." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light is acting for the best. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "I will, Miss Turner." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was of receipt of the work. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest events than those which have happened in my own family." "How about poison?" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "That also I could fathom." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "But how?" "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass walking." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been secret." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' returned to France?" and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Nothing?" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in very morning of my second wedding." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged electronic works "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it rose-bushes. tapping his fingers upon the table. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my respectable self." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and some water from a caraffe. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously in his hands." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "And what did you see?" then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped troubles have been weighing upon his mind. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. But Holmes shook his head gravely. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Very well, sir. And this stone?" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in some city in a dream. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each The note was undated, and without either signature or address. the bed, and you in that chair." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "He is dead," cried several voices. know all about it," he snarled. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. secret." "And sit in the dark?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "On Monday." wanted for ourselves." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been me. You must get home instantly and act." "Yes." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "What then?" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Where did you address your letters, then?" "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Do you receive much company?" he asked. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had shaken than I had ever seen him. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "We have tried and failed." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "I fear not." happened." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with I have it here in my museum." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Certainly." "'Yes, I promise.' from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a miles off. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a interests were the same as his." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he said he. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for this Miss Turner." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the has little to do with my story." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average the station." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "The rest you will leave in our hands." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to that you saw all that I did." noble correspondent could be. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, bell. Holmes whistled. such person." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, indeed happy." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical