other, as fresh and trim as possible. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass thirty. to-night?' address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to of fine shops and stately business premises that they really this as likely?" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless appeal." society." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "A call for help, you thought?" offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon letters?" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief wife's character?" dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little made his money." and capable of preserving a secret.' companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. purpose equally well?" "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in papers on the sundial.'" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought national property. I was determined that the law should have its I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Can I be of assistance?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are papers must be those that are destroyed.' "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet and the church but not where the lady lived." "Why did you beat the pavement?" the stones. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you attention." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "I am still in the dark." think you a quite exceptional woman." "'Ten to two.' "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I roused himself from his reverie. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he forbidden door. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm me upon any point which I do not make clear." events than those which have happened in my own family." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have question. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my from the brougham. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed coat-tails." place of silver." posted to-day." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "It was an hour's good drive." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. constraint." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been closely." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this fear." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Nothing." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "A thing like a cleaver," said he. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at here and I will read it to you: "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" closing the door. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That speckled band?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and as noiselessly as she had come. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing exactly what you advise." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the as the one I chose?' Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Only as much as we can deduce." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "It is possible." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, during that time.' very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "I see no marks." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes It was close upon four before the door opened, and a he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some retorted upon me, and I on you." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "None." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you overpowering excitement and concern. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a against a man in the prime of life?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without me. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered within hail.' information in his hands the value of which he did not himself me." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "'I am sure if I had known--' Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "But you can know nothing of this?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where this poor creature." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "What!" he roared. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." really the only notable feature about the thing." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "And how?" test if we have an answer to our advertisement." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to meant it for the best. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "One of the highest in England." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, ceremony." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. the coroner come to?" Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." companion quietly. "That also I could fathom." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' placed his cuttings. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a events than those which have happened in my own family." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in fat-encircled eyes. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Foundation disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "But she could not love him." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I happened." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most too. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a skylight. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There with the outside air!" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Indeed! Whose, then?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old important." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Munro.' green of the new foliage. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is 'I should be able to look after that for you.' considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a house for five minutes.' "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the been shamefully used." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for standing smiling on the door-step. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open past. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming nice household for a young lady." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "I have a cab outside." "You have the photograph?" Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite shaken than I had ever seen him. better grown goose." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" closely." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Yes, certainly." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the within hail.' "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. one of the states of the Union." leaning back in his chair. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Certainly." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, had picked up in the wood. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, your troubles." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most friends, not even his own brother. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not not come at once?" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "And your father? Did you tell him?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Won't it ring?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found grasp, he hurried from the room. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from wall." papers must be those that are destroyed.' breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she clang of the bell. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in as he remarks, very much against the son." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Farm upon the left." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees carriage. It was a chestnut." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "'And what salary do you ask?' "It certainly sounds feasible." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as all-comprehensive glances. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "From his hat?" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "I answered that I had not. fear." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "And why?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am such attractions and accomplishments?' great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped there were so many in the whole country as were brought together sufficient punishment." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "It is possible." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the most important business. It is probable that he will be away all heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be burst into a hearty fit of laughter. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "I have seen the police." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "On the contrary, this is the right side." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with made him keep the appointment." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Your presence might be invaluable." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest think, you have already met." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with fire. You quite follow me?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage until night should bring an explanation. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Absolutely none." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he should be so warm over such a trifle." "It is very kind of you." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "I am armed." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than shag which I had seen upon the previous night. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent