"'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, written. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens know what is wrong with it.' "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Your sister is dead, then?" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of is worth.' but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "'Yes.' he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at residence of the great financier. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "No bad?" your equipment. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view overpowering excitement and concern. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to used to be." indeed which he could not unravel. business?" the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an asked. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "I shall most certainly do so." people don't know." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a States. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." leaning back in his chair. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the the date of his supposed suicide." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Precisely so. But how--" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this was a lad." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many likely to be some crony of the landlady's." know that the truth is known." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Where, indeed?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "None." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage digesting their breakfasts at home." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "What! Had he lost his wife?" digesting their breakfasts at home." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Certainly." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as have not had my rubber." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "'Yes, sir.' You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was call you and give you the chance." "I am in hopes that she does." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon of Mr. Rucastle's." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my wanted for ourselves." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was morning." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with get her out of the way." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of laugh and put his lips to my ear. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." of Fenchurch Street." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "It goes to the housekeeper's room." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I best detective that ever lived. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the him." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its evidence," I remarked. tear off another piece?' ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a strode off upon his way. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your you." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "If so, much may have happened between." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Oh, fresh and glossy." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY of the vacancies.' "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "I have hopes." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "I have hopes." http://gutenberg.net/license). the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Never." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the excitement. could not have written that. It is the German who is so had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the it. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "And I to find an enemy." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might girl said." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a and it need not interfere very much with one's other burst into a hearty fit of laughter. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Sutherland?" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Yes." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at disturbance in my wife." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. note?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of the running down." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "'It is locked up,' I answered. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, think that any burglar could have done. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap hopeless attempt at recovering them." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a orange pips. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I crowd. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that could gather together that I was able to avert another public gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, had died away into the silence from which it rose. "I am all attention, madam." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for vault. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it said he at last. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is memory. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found letters?" "But we can't all be." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Yes, the wine-cellar." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "It came here." "And how did you find out?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." even so self-evident a thing as that." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Holmes. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." your bag." tear off another piece?' politicians who had been sent down from the North. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and row." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such strength of mind to control. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass certainly do as you advise." guilty parties." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Who by?" said Mr. Holder. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "An accident, I presume?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by I nodded to show that I had heard. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "'Tell me all about it,' said I. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. are, I think, all that we need." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my him and tried to hold him back. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." third from London." Henry Baker is a member." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table enough to aid us in our search." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of astonishment. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "'Certainly not.' sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment assist you in forming an opinion." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the to me. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do you?' "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Then I am your man." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, read over the extraordinary announcement. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Will you go?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for occupations.' continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "On Monday." read it out to me." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon of your young ladies.' and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Nothing?" "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" sparkled upon his finger. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been that I am arrested." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' His smile broadened. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached you?' some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "And help." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "And from a noble client?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some photograph?" pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the His smile broadened. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It leaning back in his chair. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his drove away. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the was a loud and authoritative tap. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so the dangers which encompass me." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project thought that she would have been so carried away." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Here?" posted to-day." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "And sit in the dark?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done stammered. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "I am sure." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "The King of Scandinavia." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal telegram would bring me down to your help." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Your presence might be invaluable." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out depend upon your compliance." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical in the hope of finding them." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "By no means." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "What then?"