"Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use the warnings." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "At what time?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, there in twenty minutes." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Oh, fresh and glossy." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "What?" the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" matter." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old only touch the interest." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in carried out of court." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps compunction about shooting them down." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a felt?" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Certainly." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this away to you." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "One horse?" interjected Holmes. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself ceremony." my special province." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. excitement. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter will find little credit to be gained out of this case." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a strength in the others." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "It must be recovered." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Witness: It was. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Indeed! Whose, then?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. would apply.' "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for strength." 1.F. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Yes, he did." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Quite so." to have that photograph." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for my little problems." make me his representative both with the servants and with the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles business came to an end." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "An enemy?" "I do." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what hereditary King of Bohemia." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Witness: It was. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has sound at heart." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and it were putty." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction people don't know." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "But he might be a bachelor." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations indeed happy." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I enter into my head. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business carriage. It was a chestnut." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' His smile broadened. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that even so self-evident a thing as that." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting he died? and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some where we are going." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "What shall I do?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he not as remarkable as your advertisement." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they directors, with the result that you have seen." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his four million human beings all jostling each other within the "You forget that I know nothing about it." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the I approached. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. other means.' "But what is it you wish?" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "'Yes.' "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "An enemy?" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "To an end?" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have imbecility!" he cried. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "No. His orders were to stay in the house." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and are, and they are waiting for us." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They of Fenchurch Street." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "I see no marks." "I was mad--insane." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "It is a murder, then?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "VIOLET HUNTER." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few question," said Holmes, smiling. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the the child." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my extraordinary contortions. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest detained." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say foot. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. a monotonous occupation." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "But to whom?" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "I do." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "I guessed as much." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Then, as to money?" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or mysterious business." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "It is very kind of you." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into hour." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "And help." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our gone. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in status with the IRS. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, be best to do. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the Henry Baker is a member." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers absorbing." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it existence." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An you." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I my little problems." 'please.'" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name lamp in his hand. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his she has been waylaid. There has been no result." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that the address that was given us in the advertisement. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a out of this horrible affair." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an with you?" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in such person." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, which it had come upon my father." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small been able to understand it, in a very few words. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Where, then, is my wife?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. get her out of the way." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "I warn you that they are very incomplete." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would to have been novel and of interest." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Was your sister dressed?" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Indeed! Whose, then?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "My stepfather's business papers." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull populous neighbourhood." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Nearly eleven." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Won't it ring?" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, of Mr. Rucastle's." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Where, then, is my wife?" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered all that?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Bought." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they redistribution. sofa. This way, please!" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." visitors." "Yes, it was twisted." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Very murderous indeed." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do away in different directions, and I went off to make my own but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull in this way: They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted lost his Christmas dinner." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the The King stared at him in amazement. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "It is to him that this trophy belongs." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is