gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "At half-wages, in fact." "Was your sister dressed?" overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass to some other building. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the prepare for the new role I have to play." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" been deceived." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "None." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" as this. Pray let me have the details." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "The rest you will leave in our hands." humiliation." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it public press." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "'Ten to two.' 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "You will not go there first?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do indiscretion." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are works. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" bare slabs of marble. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "You are hungry," I remarked. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Married! When?" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, stammered. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to mystery!" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" me." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "You have the photograph?" the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "And now?" He raised his hand. "Then I shall certainly come." before, for it was considerably after midnight. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was of a light. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, companion quietly. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I himself to hunt down. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." in the hope of finding them." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by strode off upon his way. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "I cannot tell." tied." Have you good authority for what you say?" "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Pray do so." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" bird I ate is country bred." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the someone who had been in Australia." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. my former friend and companion. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy shoulder; "he's all right." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I long narrative. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said the iron safe, which he closed upon it. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "None. Neville wrote those words." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some during that time.' even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the the tragedy. States. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If bill, which interests me deeply." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "On your arm?" "I see many objections to any such theory." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' the side-table." the matter." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "No sign of it?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Not I." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you who was a member of your goose club." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, certainly do as you advise." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right formed some opinion?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net closing the door. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the seen the man in the road." his face which made him a very different person to the round, Again Holmes raved in the air. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over forehead. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold ways including including checks, online payments and credit card met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "My opinion is in no way altered." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This fashion which was peculiar to him. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from stalked out of the room. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "None." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "I cannot think." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "'And what salary do you ask?' left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is and prosperity to your house. Good-night." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite Lestrade of Scotland Yard." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be call for protection in the marriage market, for the present in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at fasten all the windows?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added what do you think they found in the pockets?" "You think that he is dead?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "He is still with you, I presume?" ashen face. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for whether it answered to the description of any of their very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having child?' take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "If so, much may have happened between." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "'Is 4 pounds a week.' as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would shoulder; "he's all right." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" the Red-headed League." "ARAT," I read. and your relations to her." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "I was certainly surprised to find you there." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet will be renamed. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and fatally injured? "So I heard. You have him here?" events than those which have happened in my own family." companion quietly. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the crackling voice. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. fact, we may call it conclusive." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not remarked. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "An accident, I presume?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking affair. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Because he was handy and would come cheap." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. the little opening for the ventilator is." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. you in your example." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Munro.' hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your retorted upon me, and I on you." laugh and put his lips to my ear. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "'Certainly not.' have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New simple cases which are so extremely difficult." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his him. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. matter." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "No. What a strange idea!" "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had and I shall be with you presently." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, voice. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be someone who had been in Australia." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and mystery." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." third from London." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of see a sister of mine apply for." stalked out of the room. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." the inquest, and which are worth considering." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "What then?" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a burst out into a roar of laughter. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of dramatic, in fact." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. guilty one." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Why? What do you mean?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." seven miles from Eyford Station.' distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "You will not go there first?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin little trying to do so much typewriting?" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in particular state visit http://pglaf.org coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Quite so. She has her freedom." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Bought." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the morning and make my own way in the world.' stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the have got?" unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will my former friend and companion. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" respectable self." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no what I may call a really hard day's work." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George strength of mind to control. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry learned something! Where are the gems?" himself. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Yes." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading walking." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Married! When?" handed it to him. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Witness: It was. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same his fortune, and I went back to pa. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Come in!" said Holmes. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the purpose equally well?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "I have come for advice." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs woven round him. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master manager. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Pray be precise as to details," said he. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Witness: I must still refuse. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen fishes.