Holmes' face clouded over. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to attention." "I don't believe it." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less you do it in twenty minutes!' "Certainly, madam." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Yes, it was twisted." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he troubles have been weighing upon his mind. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the flock.' trying to your nerves." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE if only as a check to my own memory." Pool. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland them present such singular features as the strange train of Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, have got?" saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in 11:15.' against a man in the prime of life?" steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. mystery!" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to unprecedented a position." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am late." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' DISSOLVED. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "'Quite sure, dad.' to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more copied or distributed: was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "The Cedars?" "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. window when the police appeared." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His outside." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "An enemy?" "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive what do you think they found in the pockets?" go--none." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, have got?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not during which he might have communicated with his friend the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "The Cedars?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "No more words. Get out!" scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it back into the street. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost himself in a perplexing position. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Well, it is a possible supposition." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the really the only notable feature about the thing." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three right! Sit down and let us talk it over." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: Doctor, of the paper and the date." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I grasp, he hurried from the room. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, taking in every detail of the apartment. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? started for the Temple to see my husband. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from companion imperturbably. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which I was concerned in it." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter highly," said Holmes. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Farm upon the left." keep the flames under. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his and looked back. the station." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black way in." morning." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in information in his hands the value of which he did not himself golden eyeglasses. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight was a perfect sample of the class. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part one or two very singular points about this room. For example, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Thank you. Pray proceed." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining to-night." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may the general public were present, then?" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "That was it, sir." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he way: them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in the child." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the III. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "But she could not love him." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Henry Baker is a member." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Miss Holder?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would ordinary clothes on?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at entirely lost his self-respect." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of bill, which interests me deeply." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the green of the new foliage. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Why, what do you mean?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes door?" of his shoulders. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no disturbance in my wife." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm bedroom door." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, notes," he said. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "I cannot imagine." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he pierced for earrings?" companion imperturbably. open." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" did not hear it also.' and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the call you and give you the chance." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Why did you beat the pavement?" address. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot you for a few hours?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "On your arm?" upon the shelf for the interim." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "What then?" Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" furiously. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we in the port of London." developed." second window is the one that I jumped from." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Holmes' thin, eager face. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. hopeless attempt at recovering them." "I should wish to." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner will find little credit to be gained out of this case." bled considerably." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always to talk it over. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "What, then?" see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon redistribution. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "I will, Miss Turner." stood on the top of it. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" directors have had misgivings upon the subject." held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Your presence might be invaluable." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the weapon." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the something of him before." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" charged with?" his face. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Never." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity be sorry for having acted so harshly." know what is wrong with it.' "No, finished." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Perhaps I have." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" me. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the laugh and put his lips to my ear. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "I have solved it." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The been." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her of it with the greatest attention. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate we went to search for him, face downward in a little his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered became a certainty. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Not him." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as them, and came down just as you departed. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." so.' places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Come in!" said Holmes. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. certainly do as you advise." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY cost them two and thirty pounds." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "I am all attention, madam." "How about poison?" to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "But you were on a friendly footing?" you?' down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Doctor, of the paper and the date." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or developed." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Yes." nothing with him." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the be there in time for your coming." fat-encircled eyes. mysterious business." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works matter." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which indeed happy." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think true." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain the stones. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than some water from a caraffe. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been question. to have been novel and of interest." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the ceiling. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of distance from the station, and there we found the young lady his wife has ceased to love him."