should be taken.' you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "I cannot tell." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must washing it down with a long draught of water. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. British peeress.'" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Ten will be early enough." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon do." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several was already answered. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "And you don't know his address?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "I beg pardon." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I himself in a perplexing position. developed." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the I have it here in my museum." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of shall not find me ungrateful." this man was intellectual?" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." the stable lane now." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in bed dies. Does not that strike you?" feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' that there was nothing in it, after all." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "'About the same.' I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an bird of prey. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United most important business. It is probable that he will be away all wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of said I. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which dear old homesteads?" already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for clang of the bell. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in bare slabs of marble. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to this man was intellectual?" "It is half-past ten now." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was happened." "None. Neville wrote those words." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you that you saw all that I did." foresight and the moral retrogression?" "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. think that he is innocent?" a little more before I quite committed myself. any more." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might maid will bring up your coffee." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Will you go?" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet singular points about the case. What did the police think of the from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the The summons was a brief and urgent one. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage strong and stiff." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "No." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the was used.' "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "At what time?" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, sit on the left-hand side of the driver." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my use an arc-and-compass breastpin." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "The best possible." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too charge against him will break down." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Precisely." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a DISSOLVED. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he fishes. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and the coronet in his hand?" that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we The police have openly confessed that they can at present make over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about just called myself is not exactly my own." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Was she in good spirits?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "On Monday." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in upon a handsome competence. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "But you have hopes?" shoulder; "he's all right." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but whole matter to your consideration." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "BALLARAT." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but business?" "And how in the world did you find them?" slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "It is very clear." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do cigar and let me expound." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Bought." shoulder; "he's all right." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross to-morrow." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Never." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat attention." "Ample." with the outside air!" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Always." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I notes," he said. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious are, I think, all that we need." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again she might be summoned. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "And why?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of letters?" "And you don't know his address?" Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' once more. pound a week." "Stoke Moran?" said he. unclasping of his long thin hands. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" eat it." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Yes." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and towards the blaze. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney ran thus: narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." corner of the building. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was such attractions and accomplishments?' was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. heavily into it. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his writer." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Yes, the wine-cellar." "But I have heard all that you have heard." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "What will you say?" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. good-night and bustled off upon her way. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Who was the criminal, then?" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "I came to find a friend." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm writer." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight strength." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; than was visible to me." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A arms and began to sob in a high treble key. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to as the one I chose?' in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John prisoner's face. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for so.' Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps it? Did I buy the geese off you?" overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I and looked back. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" matter." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own tied." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the arrangements." "None." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the wall." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. absorbing." absorbing." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Yes." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Yes." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which next day. the bottom.' "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found him to be an active member of the medical profession." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. man. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" sufficient punishment." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges and that he would see to anything that turned up. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in before, for it was considerably after midnight. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow within hail.' I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this see me here to avoid scandal." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "We must have a cab." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about and it need not interfere very much with one's other and a shock of very red hair. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed redistribution. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "That was it, sir." "I should like to see him very much." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her shaken than I had ever seen him. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all even of instruction." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Oh, fresh and glossy." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Not social, then?" the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an been." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his of a light. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "No, distinctly professional." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. any." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. ran thus: Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything the date of his supposed suicide." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have our word."