my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. conduct the inquiry." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for point in the dark hollow of his hand. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right which it had come upon my father." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." and wait." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept answered with a sidelong glance. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter During two years I have had three consultations and one small prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Your French gold?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to 'please.'" "Really! You surprise me." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were call it cruel." "Certainly." some terrible trap for her." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "I should like to see him very much." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Get out!" said he. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An not come at once?" "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor fear." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but was once confined in the cab my mission was practically rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it papers must be those that are destroyed.' "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible prove to be little relation between the different incidents of seven miles from Eyford Station.' yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were just ask you whether you had heard it.' Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY think, you have already met." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Does that suggest anything?" "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, mysterious end." opened the door, and slipped through. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with he. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." were unconscious?" pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the if only as a check to my own memory." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "I will do it." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching the matter." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this front of me. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Entirely." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. off." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "About a month then." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "But you can know nothing of this?" his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Certainly, madam." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek death." to me. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave young Openshaw's." affection." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the was used.' Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Get out!" said he. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call said he. "Yes." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." hard-headed British jury." and the whole place is in a blaze." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "You know me, then?" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in get the tickets." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of Pope's Court. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' any." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one business." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "How about poison?" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting plantation.' gone. confronted him. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an anything to do with the matter?" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "I say it is." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me the Assizes." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Who by?" any little problem which you may submit to me." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship true." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and prisoner's face. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel questioning and rather startled gaze. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to residence of the great financier. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" south, for the country is more deserted there." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Very. But will he see it?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." rat could hardly pass through." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, bird of prey. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There outside. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an bearing upon the case." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to of his shoulders. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Again Holmes raved in the air. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a point our research must commence, and we will begin it by he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old his eyes and forehead. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of are, and they are waiting for us." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Yes, it was twisted." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Texas, I think." DAMAGE. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. come either from the window or the door. My attention was I approached. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you prison!" possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "But how did you gain them?" time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two already referred to. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Certainly." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "And now?" I asked. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater directors have had misgivings upon the subject." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Yes, that is the Crown." nonsense.' with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Who by?" "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have himself in a perplexing position. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of writer." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love meanly of me." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears row." Watson," he said cordially. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, awaited us upon the table. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "That is easily got." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be awkward doing business with an alias." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Thank you. And your address?" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "You have the photograph?" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted stood on the top of it. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel villagers almost as much as their master. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "But his left-handedness." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to least a fellow-countryman. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. as noiselessly as she had come. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for through." and all of them with the keenest interest. "But you were on a friendly footing?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Why serious?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "When did she vanish, then?" stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The them?" Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps several quiet little villages up there." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon hurried by. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I together. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a drove away. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "And you can do nothing until then?" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Pray be precise as to details," said he. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Your French gold?" Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really learned something! Where are the gems?" of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time companion. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' ourselves in the office." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "'Is purely nominal.' remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew seen the man in the road." individual and becomes the badge of a society." was keenly on my guard against him. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which fishes. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes good-night and bustled off upon her way. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I hardly wander." and laid it on the table. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Not him." happened." whatever might befall. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to gone. and glanced through. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "'Certainly,' I answered. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no this man was intellectual?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on