"It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. even of instruction." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project then?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for companion. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He of receipt of the work. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "It is possible." suddenly upon us." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were my secret was safe in his possession. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Yes, it would be as well." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I all-comprehensive glances. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth matter." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened since then to throw any light upon what became of him." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? me, and I could not think that his explanation of the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." interest. They are important, you understand, without being maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" prepare for the new role I have to play." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Yes, the wine-cellar." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "At what time?" what I may call a really hard day's work." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The think that he is innocent?" rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Well." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question mystery." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of stammered. you in your example." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that business came to an end." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Yes, they were peculiar boots." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man once more to my work. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "To an English lawyer named Norton." there!' faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that woman." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; results." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my late!' returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and flock.' "Could he throw no light?" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Again Holmes raved in the air. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "No, finished." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "No, I am descending." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a point in the dark hollow of his hand. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a It was close upon four before the door opened, and a bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, tell me that you intended to go into harness." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy just ask you whether you had heard it.' directors, with the result that you have seen." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "How did you deduce the select?" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Street. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' giving me time to thank him. your only hope of safety." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back do." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Then the page we have seen--" relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence The events in question occurred in the early days of my "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique carriage. It was a chestnut." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Yes." that I may have something better before very many minutes are "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has triumphant cloud from his cigarette. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and III. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was place of silver." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "One of the highest in England." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she my special province." "Not in a good cause." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of approach us with offers to donate. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the written. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the opportunities to fix the problem. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no at my own good fortune. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "The King of Scandinavia." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, before the coroner and the police-court." detective. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "He slept on the premises." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out woman." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Imitated." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," brandy and water within his reach. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two eat it." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. friends, not even his own brother. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "My last client of the sort was a king." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to and it need not interfere very much with one's other wedding?" corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a undoubtedly my uncle's." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord them present such singular features as the strange train of "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' prison!" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was true." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, held up the lantern and gazed about him. "It surprised me." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me invisible to me," I remarked. delighted to hear it," he said. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that was shining brightly. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "In the cells." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "On Monday." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual down. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "How are you getting on?" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in how narrow had been my escape. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you had a long day." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said outside." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Pray do so." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our there!' Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Yes, from Horsham." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "You have the photograph?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Holmes." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little of your young ladies.' pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself of them has the shutters up.' observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "I have my revolver," said I. "And what did you see?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a approach us with offers to donate. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then see me here to avoid scandal." "My photograph." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in you understand?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. cause to be." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, with some details as to your case." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "I assure you that I am in your hands." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "I should like to see him very much." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." the coronet in his hands?" "Oh, yes, easily." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst spark where all is dark to me." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a done what I asked you, Jones?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "And why in hopes?" "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up think you a quite exceptional woman." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear woven round him. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Then, how do you know?" days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, would apply.' passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. one which it was hard to resist. "And I." affection." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Yes, he did." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "'Stolen!' he cried. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked bed dies. Does not that strike you?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Entirely." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard hurried by. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "It surprised me." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "I never have." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Have you good authority for what you say?" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action