"'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "One of his hands." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and little trying to do so much typewriting?" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we where we are going." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw must be when I saw the door open.' "You horrify me." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to less than 26s. 4d. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Certainly." the little opening for the ventilator is." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to get the tickets." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for whereabouts. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged hard-headed British jury." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Pray do so." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" the station." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that has little to do with my story." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "But how?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" ventilator." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left matter." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "'Yes.' While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, enter Dr. Roylott's room." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, correct than the official force." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or conversation I have gathered that they have been married about And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my woven round him. "My Mary? Impossible!" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me hair?' "I cannot think." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the was not a bird to be seen there. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "'What would be the hours?' I asked. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR one of them." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and the very morning of the wedding." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a anything to do with the matter?" deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "'Ten to two.' detained." lips." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "That is easily got." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an will he say when he returns?" "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would a room. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is the armchair which I pushed forward for him. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "What, then, did Peterson do?" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and recall any case within my experience which looked at the first chemical work which was so dear to him. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the fluttered off among the others. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in me. You must get home instantly and act." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "And your mother is alive?" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Pray be precise as to details," said he. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of evidence," I remarked. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "You saw the ventilator, too?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to John Swain, of St. Augustine. "I would give my fortune to have them back." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. forecastle of an emigrant ship. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always will take you up to see the machine.' "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal several quiet little villages up there." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small tail." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic note?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom locked." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced in him." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive drove away. "No, I am descending." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. any more." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with standing smiling on the door-step. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and definite end. society." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, and it need not interfere very much with one's other considering the formidable letters which were received by himself window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "But how could you guess what the motive was?" with you?" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has tell me that you intended to go into harness." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the you, my dear young lady?' to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I such person." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of and your relations to her." "I was sure that I might rely on you." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, of this gang." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Very much so." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing fishes. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Holmes' room. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' experiences." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, business in the City. She little knew what. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "What shall I do?" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "'Never.' of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that like gravel from a pit.' absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would absorbing." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." populous neighbourhood." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "You have but to name it." "How do you know, then?" are windows in it, of course?" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am in my life." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "And I to find an enemy." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Oh, the cause is excellent!" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the of this gang." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to chill to my heart. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the memory. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "I see no marks." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "'What do you call purely nominal?' "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "None." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "There are none." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "And how have you succeeded?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through lost his Christmas dinner." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "'What do you call purely nominal?' furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "You think so, too?" "Nothing." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred you." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his front of the hall door has given its name to the place. Sholtos." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my meant." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The placed his cuttings. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an fear." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never had this final quarrel? him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to forehead. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Pool. never came back." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more before the coroner and the police-court." "What will you do, then?" that you wished to speak to me?' that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of have not had my rubber." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely as he remarks, very much against the son." official police." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that everything which you would wish to know." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my pressing in one house as in another. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. better grown goose." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. miles off. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our questioning and rather startled gaze. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife or in danger--" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "What! You do not mean bodies?" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "How did you trace it, then?" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Come in!" said Holmes. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to use an arc-and-compass breastpin." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little was a lad." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "'Yes, I promise.' "What?" I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "If so, much may have happened between." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would people don't know." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Yes." notes," he said. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to galvanised. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, coroner's jury." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It felt?" I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "My private note-paper." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and present." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a the window, rose as we entered. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." meant." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his answered with a sidelong glance. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My pressing in one house as in another. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Where is it, then?" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a