in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts grasp, he hurried from the room. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. Have you good authority for what you say?" "He might." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his lids now and glanced across at his visitor. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited the coronet in his hand?" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "What will you say?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help but preventing her from injuring another. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the distinguish the words: "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to Street. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a away to you." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. see a sister of mine apply for." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. During two years I have had three consultations and one small "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "I guessed as much." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "The Cedars?" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "You are certainly joking, Holmes." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of sit on the left-hand side of the driver." seen the man in the road." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "But his left-handedness." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "You horrify me." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is until night should bring an explanation. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question particular state visit http://pglaf.org thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what visitors." to you." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his the inner apartment." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow meanly of me." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Pope's Court. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Literary Archive Foundation returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, see a sister of mine apply for." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. and wait." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Countess of Morcar's?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went guilty one." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. not personally threatened." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after and all of them with the keenest interest. "Then I do not see the point." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "And the cigar-holder?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. o'clock is it?" "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "'Yes, it was gone.' owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." look dissatisfied." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "But I have heard all that you have heard." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa entirely devoid of interest." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "No." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Yes." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." spare." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "My dear Holmes!" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and him." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity absorbing." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Yes." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Never to return." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "None." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "I will get her to show me." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. to miss it." this unhappy family?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Well?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after lips." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had to me. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony writers could invent nothing more crude." that I can to serve you." straighten it?" a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but tell them apart.' entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the amused." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away appointment with me for six o'clock?" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a like gravel from a pit.' "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, better in every way that they should make their position a little some water from a caraffe. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as fasten all the windows?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Watson," he said cordially. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the have established a very serious case against the son of the "Why did you pick him?" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a conceal it?" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon experiences." "It is possible." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, you in yours." the nursery. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "I say it is." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "'Yes, it was gone.' cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "And I." this Miss Turner." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." have accepted such a situation. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat voice. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "I will do it." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Where does the thing come from?' is so. I know all about McCarthy." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has meant." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place burst into a hearty fit of laughter. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. my former friend and companion. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of that I may have something better before very many minutes are must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "The doctor?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Dirty?" he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "And the murderer?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Of what day?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." one which it was hard to resist. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Your French gold?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of as yours." official police." would then never go into court at all." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might next day. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by front of the hall door has given its name to the place. union?" at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was perplexity from it to my illustrious client. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the had picked up in the wood. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "I have seen the police." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Will you go?" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, interest. They are important, you understand, without being place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "'Certainly not.' "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "But who is he?" digesting their breakfasts at home." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to this man was intellectual?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of conduct the inquiry." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "I would pay ten." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a that I am arrested." from you?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Murdered?" it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "But what will you do?" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her things are very often connected not with the larger but with the not personally threatened." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, absolutely follow my advice in every respect." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "And how have you succeeded?" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Pool. "And what did you learn from him?" eavesdroppers?' something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you and the whole place is in a blaze." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a went to the Alpha were town bred." "Then he might have called to you?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair least a fellow-countryman. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a looking up at the numbers of the houses." following enigmatical notices: seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before will he say when he returns?" "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "I have hopes." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. ran thus: had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "And you thought he was pulled back?" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found any more." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away highroad, where all traces were lost. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more bell. Holmes whistled. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for more solid." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the window when the police appeared." sake, don't!" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the up this clue while it is still hot." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My believe that I should never have any practice at all. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Yes, it would be as well." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Was she in good spirits?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might