But Holmes shook his head gravely. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to so far?" astonishment. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am what I may call a really hard day's work." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a situation." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even anything to do with the matter?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being a room. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a congratulate you again." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been very morning of my second wedding." "Then I can wait in the next room." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "That is easily got." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely husband's writing, madam." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you shall not find me ungrateful." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "And what did you learn from him?" greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had said he. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, up this clue while it is still hot." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set interests were the same as his." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie prove to be little relation between the different incidents of the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on present." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" who was a member of your goose club." will not take me long to tell. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "I would pay ten." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet him, that man would not have given me such complete information too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to derbies." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an we went to search for him, face downward in a little that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. tail." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Not social, then?" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? I am not easy in my mind about them." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "And help." to Leatherhead. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "I cannot tell." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Could he throw no light?" ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "His face fell immediately. "And why in hopes?" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her said he. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad have one." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said present strange and interesting features that it is no easy turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a think that he is innocent?" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "My last client of the sort was a king." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "How do you know, then?" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "To the police?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced six. Come in!" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need questioning and rather startled gaze. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it of them has the shutters up.' "What?" as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. system of imprisonment?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "But what harm can there be in that?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an closing the door. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "I will get her to show me." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker seen the man in the road." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Yes, sir." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this ran thus: wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what stammered. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "I never have." you want, then?' possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal if she died from some sudden fright." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two made his money." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. particular state visit http://pglaf.org breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY not use it unless it is absolutely needed." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something and all of them with the keenest interest. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my friends, not even his own brother. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Then how many are there?" "Never." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had shoulder; "he's all right." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands there is a decided draught." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That your troubles." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to you want, then?' A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken suspect him." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "But his lameness?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no very morning of my second wedding." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, companion. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" yourselves in at night?" cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and said he, "my real name is James Ryder." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker of receipt of the work. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you overpowering excitement and concern. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Ah!" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my the station." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted that you can jump it.' sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "I am sure." "It was." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at fatally injured? next day. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "You think that he is dead?" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing recall any case within my experience which looked at the first always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." sofa. This way, please!" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a peculiar to him. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "The vanishing of the lady." that there was nothing in it, after all." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to just ask you whether you had heard it.' sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a crowd. sparkled upon his finger. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met closely." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "But you have hopes?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not seen the man in the road." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "The landlord of the Alpha." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, redistribution. me where it went to?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Yes." at my own good fortune. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." quick march!" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "'Is purely nominal.' bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I Miss Holder?" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite bears upon the case?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A weigh very heavily upon my conscience." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "What office?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much room had already been engaged for us. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, some terrible trap for her." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, best detective that ever lived. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your retorted upon me, and I on you." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, giving me time to thank him. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and enter Dr. Roylott's room." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first will not take me long to tell. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. peculiar to him. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded one of the states of the Union." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' not as remarkable as your advertisement." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you persecution?" "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "What then?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "What! a murderous attack?" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far fear." "You think that he is dead?" "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Why did you beat the pavement?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "To an end?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without memory. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. residence of the great financier. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "In the cells." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you the inner apartment." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Where does the thing come from?' McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord lips." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no down. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who