not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Then, how do you know?" "And how have you succeeded?" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few records." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg voice, changing her seat as requested. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Very truly yours, "Ah!" and all of them with the keenest interest. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the the roots. of this gang." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a experiences." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be might help us?" 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy window when the police appeared." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes I have it here in my museum." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the begun to whiten, even as mine has." the address that was given us in the advertisement. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have meant it for the best. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said you." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies conclusions. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at is now desirous of getting those letters back." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his everything which you would wish to know." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the date of his supposed suicide." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Yes. He waved his hands." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for and put his glass in his pocket. thin legs towards the fire. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has spare." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was is now desirous of getting those letters back." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him redistribution. crowd. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. it with his own hands." upon the white wrist. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed way in everything. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "My stepfather's business papers." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some even of instruction." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, highroad, where all traces were lost. pierced for earrings?" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at row." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too for its centre. himself to tell his story. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "The King of Scandinavia." "I cannot as yet see any connection." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Why, what do you mean?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "I will not look." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "It is no ordinary one." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a fact, we may call it conclusive." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "And I." only touch the interest." ways of our fellow-men." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself works. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "In San Francisco, a year ago." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Very well, sir. And this stone?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "I came to find a friend." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I help us in this matter." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no all-comprehensive glances. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in foresight and the moral retrogression?" turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my undoubtedly my uncle's." even so self-evident a thing as that." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped out." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. we went to search for him, face downward in a little "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two side. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes been." "'Certainly not. But why?' my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to the coronet in his hand?" British peeress.'" invisible to me," I remarked. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good records." begun to whiten, even as mine has." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the out." dear old homesteads?" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a of." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled laugh and put his lips to my ear. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" make me his representative both with the servants and with the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried not as remarkable as your advertisement." cause to be." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must perplexity from it to my illustrious client. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a upon the shelf for the interim." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, horse could go." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate is entirely a question of barometric pressure." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and even so self-evident a thing as that." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are over part of the map. "What do you read?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the taking in every detail of the apartment. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Perhaps I have." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my delighted to hear it," he said. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Married! When?" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "I think it very unlikely." whole matter to your consideration." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "'Most admirably.' Lestrade of Scotland Yard." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' fasten all the windows?" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, to-morrow." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately business." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are flock.' "'Quite sure, dad.' from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Perhaps we may make them less so." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular your room." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened ordinary clothes on?" said he. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to walking." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "You don't mind breaking the law?" eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of carried out of court." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Well, it is a possible supposition." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the both be extremely obliged.' doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty telegram would bring me down to your help." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "It looks newer than the other things?" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted I shall continue with my miserable story. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, at my own good fortune. his grey eyes. "I will, Miss Turner." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I washing it down with a long draught of water. floor. you." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" is acting for the best. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for away to you." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Did your wife hear all this?" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some minor matters until to-morrow." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "The knees of his trousers." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "It certainly sounds feasible." and your relations to her." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took out of this horrible affair." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "But he might be a bachelor." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "'Yes.' Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." bonnet, and went out." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Deserted you?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free with some details as to your case." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "In the cells." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I in one or two places in England?' in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "I fear not." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in DAMAGE. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" made his money." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my anything to a woman, for she would have her way." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. unkempt, staring out at me. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again gives a meaning to it." him to be an active member of the medical profession." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "What do you mean?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon the station." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. detained." "'And the work?' themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a place no limit on the sum I may draw." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Not particularly." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a standing smiling on the door-step. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" criminal. We have already had experience of such." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to side. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "But he might be a bachelor." more terrible than the truth. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of outside." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "That's no good." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked bonnet, and went out." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Then, how do you know?" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "One of the highest in England." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who hair?' pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend envelope. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "What then?" said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "It must be recovered." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished it with his own hands." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, clang of the bell. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "What then?" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." back into the street.