the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Whose house is it?" "VIOLET HUNTER." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. enough to aid us in our search." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. into the bag, and made for the door. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under call it cruel." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there morning." friends, not even his own brother. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged which it had come upon my father." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger would apply.' dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "And it is--" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "I shall be delighted." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "'Tell me all about it,' said I. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that respectable self." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of not personally threatened." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should of campaign. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who it. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, you understand?" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" important." flock.' Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not lost nothing by them." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped helping a boy to put up the shutters. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "What can you not understand?" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Street. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "She showed me, as I told you she would." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of best detective that ever lived. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! unprofitable." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which go--none." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich true." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a at a side door. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "I know where it is." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Entirely." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "A greater distance to travel." to take care of herself." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "But his left-handedness." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and standing smiling on the door-step. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel here and I will read it to you: fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and and no precautions can guard against." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling investigation." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling would then never go into court at all." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which asked with his eyes open. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying believe that I should never have any practice at all. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he this remarkable episode. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some Holmes' face clouded over. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his ready to-morrow?' coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the written. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Will you bet, then?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Then you may be so with me." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "'Why that?' I asks. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of London for the present?" was used.' that I am arrested." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my that he will be back before evening." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. that threaten you." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very for its centre. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I entirely lost his self-respect." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "You are hungry," I remarked. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has call for it in person on Monday morning.' Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he throat." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "That is easily got." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did he died? sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all people in all walks of life. shall use the carriage to-night." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment away to you." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me any more." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin his forehead." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "What I expected to see." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for sake, don't!" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's handed it to him. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the shaken than I had ever seen him. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Dr. Gregory B. Newby dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Where, then?" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in I took the paper from him and read as follows: his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. your own bird, so if you wish--" "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no front of the hall door has given its name to the place. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used horse could go." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "'A dozen yards or so.' ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Indeed! Whose, then?" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "On your arm?" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. leave you to your papers for a little." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "My stepfather's business papers." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my shoulder; "he's all right." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared friend's singular character. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom is worth.' streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a bachelor.' about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin you?' have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most mystery." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" just ask you whether you had heard it.' conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "This photograph!" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Precisely." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner he died? carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time arrested. You then--" "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "At the wedding breakfast." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "We must sit without light. He would see it through the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a DAMAGE. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very yards of it?' the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is miles off. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for that I can to serve you." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "My photograph." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Dr. Becher's." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." a little more before I quite committed myself. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "I shall be delighted." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' girl said." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too quite distinctive." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to voice, changing her seat as requested. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and have established a very serious case against the son of the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "ARAT," I read. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would security.' and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" was the fact that his father should, according to his account, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. But Holmes shook his head gravely. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "The Cedars?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an to go into your room and bar your shutters?" his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing have not had my rubber." "Upon what point?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "My opinion is in no way altered." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great are windows in it, of course?" "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time noting anything else of interest. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "That is it on the dressing-table." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in But Holmes shook his head gravely. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears