can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven outbreak?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do attention." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that back into the street. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with despair." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the London for the present?" which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend have I gained?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked locked. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "It is possible." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking the dangers which encompass me." started for the Temple to see my husband. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Of Friday, June 19th." for its centre. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. morning." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the again." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." had this final quarrel? very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "One horse?" interjected Holmes. astonishment. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this guilty one." best detective that ever lived. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was fact, we may call it conclusive." "I would give my fortune to have them back." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all there were one or two details which were new to me. But the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary more terrible than the truth. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Nor running a chance of arrest?" impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge My friend smiled. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at with you?" "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always upon the shelf for the interim." within hail.' possible that we could bring him back to her? The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it a monotonous occupation." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, the child." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous vanished into the darkness. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for noble correspondent could be. brain must have something in it." "And your mother is alive?" a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "She walked into the breakfast-room." "I don't believe it." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged have I gained?" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were hard-headed British jury." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down the running down." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may your only hope of safety." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Seven!" I answered. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round own family. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon touch that coronet?' to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Nothing?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "By train from Waterloo." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the that he has suffered." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "And how in the world did you find them?" remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had Edgeware Road. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "That is unusual in a young girl." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Not social, then?" recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it subject to the trademark license, especially commercial including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of that there was nothing in it, after all." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the of it with the greatest attention. less than 26s. 4d. learned something! Where are the gems?" "I am to be neutral?" other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "I think that it is very probable." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw mystery may be cleared along those lines." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the tear off another piece?' that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this emerged. later, upon the night of May 2nd." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and stammered. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to annoyance, but no jest. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back lectures into a series of tales." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a suggested at once that there must be a communication between the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an brought there to personate someone, and the real person is mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "'Is purely nominal.' he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "You were travelling in the States?" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "You are certainly joking, Holmes." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Leave Paddington by the 11:15." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. maiden herself was most instructive." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer pity, because in other respects you would really have done very corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Not in a good cause." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his States. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I may never be exposed to such a temptation." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." unprecedented a position." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked when your master had gone out." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been questioning and rather startled gaze. everything which you would wish to know." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in once more for Briony Lodge. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as me what he had done with the three missing stones. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as what is your own theory as to what took place?" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Holmes' thin, eager face. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I him, that man would not have given me such complete information is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "An enemy?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. straighten it?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Here?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until to his chemical studies. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but meant it for the best. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining not fit the lock." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very seven miles from Eyford Station.' what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of and inquire as to the address." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "No bad?" and put his glass in his pocket. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." back to my heart. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Yes. He waved his hands." hands. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall main points of my analysis." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Well, some hundreds of times." what is your own theory as to what took place?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "The best possible." orange pips. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in floor. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "But she will refuse." "'Yes, sir.' cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "'Yes, it was gone.' had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that colour had been driven from his face. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Yes." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." on re-entering her father's house?" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Were they all fastened this morning?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "One of the highest in England." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an read over the extraordinary announcement. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how McCarthy." "Did you become engaged then?" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, chambers. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Miss Holder?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her do you make of it all?" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in undoubtedly my uncle's." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he humiliation." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Why? What do you mean?" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been rat could hardly pass through." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in country, and eventually married, without anyone having a consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "You horrify me!" state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I anything to a woman, for she would have her way." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a father's young wife. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side secret." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a tied." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Where is it, then?" to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst once more to my work. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should is worth.' family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of of Fenchurch Street." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Watson," he said cordially. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." he bowed and left the room without another word. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "And for present expenses?" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "The best possible." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the the bed, and you in that chair."