"I cannot as yet see any connection." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old reach." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest wedding?" October 9, 1890. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch morning." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, fait accompli?" precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "The gentleman I describe." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he affection." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. more solid." "Very truly yours, red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Come in!" said he. charged with?" "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, back into the street. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of careless servant girl?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. he died? Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Pray let us have it, for all that." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Murdered?" roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled once more to my work. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am writer." new acquaintance to Baker Street. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It floor. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and night.' said he. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my of your young ladies.' "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Perfectly so." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes felt?" an introduction to him?" The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Stolen." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your said he. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "And how in the world did you find them?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination do you make of it all?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." Holmes rather sternly. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to down in his armchair and closing his eyes. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "How often?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "'Yes, sir.' his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." him to go away.' came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "10th. John Swain cleared. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "An enemy?" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it any more." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such one's self under obligations.' scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most your billet.' posted to-day." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those with you?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "No. His orders were to stay in the house." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "None." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking chance." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all union?" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." the general public were present, then?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, suddenly upon us." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the when your master had gone out." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, standing smiling on the door-step. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of may never be exposed to such a temptation." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and hereditary King of Bohemia." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have you." "Witness: Nothing definite. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Not in the least." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police fasten all the windows?" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "'Certainly,' I answered. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and remarked. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "But who is he?" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down eavesdroppers?' Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my fear." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the invisible to me," I remarked. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" her also." "No, I had a dozen." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across conceal it?" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours take the flies, but not before." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Perhaps I have." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would noble correspondent could be. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been impression behind it as though a window had gently closed forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Heh?' throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his your only hope of safety." husband's writing, madam." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by me. You must get home instantly and act." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; October 9, 1890. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such charged with?" "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Clair, of Lee." nothing of it?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely following enigmatical notices: that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and six. Come in!" have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a wedding?" writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "In what way?" asked Holmes. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Oh, fresh and glossy." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "I cannot imagine." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. you give your casting vote to?" complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "I promise," said Holmes. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, appeal." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations the address that was given us in the advertisement. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he know that the truth is known." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold heavy and sharp instrument." business matters.' it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." clanging. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to the very letters. But what is this written above them?' writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these I shall communicate with you." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I my secret was safe in his possession. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with signal between you and your father? into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "You don't mind breaking the law?" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Which surely he restored to their owner?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in meant." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "But your client--" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have might have a private word with us. "You will not go there first?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. one else, I think." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round before, for it was considerably after midnight. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Come in!" said Holmes. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Were they all fastened this morning?" digesting their breakfasts at home." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Dirty?" all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "I saw her in conversation with her maid." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't lumber-room." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: the very morning of the wedding." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." signal between you and your father? stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "The Coroner: What do you mean? Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel you." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I was used.' "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up giving me time to thank him. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope suggested at once that there must be a communication between the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "My dear Holmes!" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, ready to-morrow?' points in connection with it which never have been, and probably come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "No." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the ceiling. daring than any effort of the imagination." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "'Stolen!' he cried. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Where, indeed?" "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely been." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not night.' said he. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "'Yes, sir.' that he will be back before evening." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, presented more singular features than that which was associated "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for Again Holmes raved in the air.