occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and bird I ate is country bred." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and fait accompli?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "But you can know nothing of this?" will find little credit to be gained out of this case." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat II. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an III. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side to-morrow." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was the address that was given us in the advertisement. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into even of instruction." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the already referred to. "Do you know him?" step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three remarked. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Where is it, then?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my ashen face. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and there were so many in the whole country as were brought together however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall the nursery. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had in my life." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Bought." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "You saw the ventilator, too?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering tell him that I know him to be innocent." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "The murder was done with it." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Dirty?" common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting murdered man." "Yesterday." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I to-night?' cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of passage and a tap at the door. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence heavy and sharp instrument." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the crime. the house with me." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "You heard nothing yourself last night?" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, indeed happy." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the such attractions and accomplishments?' make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "One of his hands." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. note?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Won't it ring?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are in your London, you will know that the office of the company is the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of one of the states of the Union." to change my dress. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to shaken than I had ever seen him. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a really the only notable feature about the thing." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to absolutely follow my advice in every respect." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the electronic works "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' eavesdroppers?' bell. Holmes whistled. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his shaken than I had ever seen him. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the through." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over himself. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he a good hundred miles off by now." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "My dear Holmes!" against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he quick march!" "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as gives a meaning to it." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Which surely he restored to their owner?" my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of unprecedented a position." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction begun to whiten, even as mine has." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by gone. I held the little printed slip to the light. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" into the bag, and made for the door. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an tapping his fingers upon the table. "No." "But who is he?" beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. London for the present?" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of children over to America with him, so that I found myself without pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "That is it on the dressing-table." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or examination of the premises, but without finding anything which breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "A thing like a cleaver," said he. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales grasp, he hurried from the room. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" is worth.' stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no national property. I was determined that the law should have its heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," burst out into a roar of laughter. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in became a certainty. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an maiden herself was most instructive." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "That sounds a little paradoxical." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in some place of shelter and let the county police know what has we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had once more to my work. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, fattened it expressly for you.' his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "On your arm?" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted strength of mind to control. had picked up in the wood. overpowering excitement and concern. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some to affect your life." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two way: brain must have something in it." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a have established a very serious case against the son of the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole I held the little printed slip to the light. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "What then?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We ready to-morrow?' believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "I see no marks." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed vanished into the darkness. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment least a most suspicious remark." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "I will do it." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand golden eyeglasses. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a wife's character?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. envelope. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in McCarthy's innocence. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her it." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. address. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think his knees, staring into the fire. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." his forehead." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in she to prove their authenticity?" gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money be there in time for your coming." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she completely overtopped every other consideration that we both for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had always that they were such commands as a lady might with its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Bought." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "'A dozen yards or so.' look upon these things in a different way." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, heavy and sharp instrument." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "I am to be neutral?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Yes, sir." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" excitement. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "I would pay ten." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal triumphant cloud from his cigarette. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "No, but the enclosure is." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too for the market.' reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "What is it, then--a fire?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "My own seal." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "He said too much." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock handed it to him. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days as he folded up the epistle. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with late." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The lost his Christmas dinner." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "No, thank goodness, she did not." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have as this. Pray let me have the details." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, in a very precise fashion." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most not interfere, come what may. You understand?" unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening good-night and bustled off upon her way. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from emerged. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "I never have." "Murdered?" vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Has he come with you to-night?" about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the