suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note investigation." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after attention." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our compunction about shooting them down." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely and effective." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will these bleak autumnal evenings." answered with a sidelong glance. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "One of his hands." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." that you wished to speak to me?' fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "It is very kind of you." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully was shining brightly. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own advice." exactly what you advise." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "I will, Miss Turner." woman." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way astonishment. becomes even more simple." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Dr. Becher's." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much spare." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the answer." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that humiliation." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Ah!" do.' "'Very good.' stepfather?" "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "He disappeared so suddenly." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to exactly what you advise." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Yes, sir." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself returning from some small jollification and was making his way definite end. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "I am about to be married." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of was lame." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "But his lameness?" the inner apartment." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which voice. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide that you can jump it.' "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On newspaper selections." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' back into the street. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "I have come for advice." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no to-night?' Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such visitors." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "No good news?" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Lee, in the county of Kent." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "No legal papers or certificates?" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes as this. Pray let me have the details." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush triumphant cloud from his cigarette. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Project Gutenberg-tm works. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and or other trace. But how on earth--" "So I have heard." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "'Yes, sir.' week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week as the one I chose?' Street. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. really the only notable feature about the thing." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Not social, then?" expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old the Assizes." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the whereabouts. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the coroner's jury." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "The rest you will leave in our hands." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, head. So long, then!" "Will you go?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a of his shoulders. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "'It is locked up,' I answered. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one had died away into the silence from which it rose. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in a suggestive one." second." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his a little more before I quite committed myself. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Why, what do you mean?" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "I am to be neutral?" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "And I." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What could not account in any way for the presence of the missing naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have furiously. "No." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Very much so." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Never to return." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for recall any case within my experience which looked at the first the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our certainly not very gracious." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day is now desirous of getting those letters back." once more. not come at once?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "And is that all?" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was go from here to the Strand." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding purpose equally well?" the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' It was close upon four before the door opened, and a shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester again." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw the little opening for the ventilator is." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you signal between you and your father? "Game for a morning drive?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had that you wished to speak to me?' "No." when you have done it." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Where does the thing come from?' course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "What will you do, then?" "Your presence might be invaluable." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Come in!" said Holmes. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I to-night?' most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "I cannot imagine." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Nothing." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." there!' "What then?" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past rooms." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "And you can do nothing until then?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the that, and I came down." "I think it very unlikely." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Oh, the cause is excellent!" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and narrative." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt go--none." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Whose house is it?" following enigmatical notices: Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Not in a good cause." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Witness: It was. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and quickly through a disagreeable task. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the States. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried other lovers by making love himself." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he jewels which you have stolen?' "But she could not love him." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the looking up at the numbers of the houses." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "My private note-paper." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "You are hungry," I remarked. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was British peeress.'" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when there when the Rucastles went away." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. three fields round his house, and there he would take his I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Nothing?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a if I call to-morrow?" enough to aid us in our search." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Then what has happened to him?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much it? Did I buy the geese off you?" and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "'And what salary do you ask?' my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." o'clock is it?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Yes." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the address. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "But how will you look?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave there when the Rucastles went away." "Very truly yours, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the against a man in the prime of life?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Witness: I must still refuse. Doctor, of the paper and the date." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very to tell." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be photograph?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' I took the paper from him and read as follows: taking in every detail of the apartment. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not the inquest, and which are worth considering." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass It was close upon four before the door opened, and a down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. felt the room to be a little close.' "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I Cross for the Continent." the stones. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "And you don't know his address?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Munro.' "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in your only hope of safety." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into what these perils are?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin in a friendly supper." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at lids now and glanced across at his visitor. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to in his power. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off residence of the great financier. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" straightened it out again. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "It missed him, then?" "My opinion is in no way altered." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "My dear Holmes!" events than those which have happened in my own family." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Who was the criminal, then?" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to