the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Nearly eleven." of it with the greatest attention. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "And for present expenses?" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, open." "Where, then?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is late." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce of his shoulders. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "But how?" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic never to learn it at all." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "No bad?" carpenter." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "What, then, did Peterson do?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she to tell." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his of Mr. Rucastle's." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are whereabouts. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "I see many objections to any such theory." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. as he folded up the epistle. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of taking in every detail of the apartment. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Then, how do you know?" "You have the photograph?" "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered giving me time to thank him. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our opened the door, and slipped through. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "But how?" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to bled considerably." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "And how in the world did you find them?" ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You I nodded to show that I had heard. "'As governess?' younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "I answered that I had not. wedding?" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Game for a morning drive?" the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon Does that suggest anything?" the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "The landlord of the Alpha." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Why, it's a dummy," said he. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be than to us. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks again, where I was soon asleep. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from down from London to inquire more deeply into it." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "No legal papers or certificates?" "So I heard. You have him here?" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and matters immensely." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "What steps will you take?" I asked. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand hand, madam?" occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Well?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should Clair, of Lee." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. about here speaks of his kindness to him." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off speckled band?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "I am still in the dark." already referred to. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, neither fascinating nor artistic." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his redistribution. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "And you can do nothing until then?" age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out side. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, standing smiling on the door-step. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." to have been novel and of interest." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the so far?" no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock other lovers by making love himself." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "How on earth--" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "What can you not understand?" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." criminal. We have already had experience of such." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with held up the lantern and gazed about him. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "That also I could fathom." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in system of imprisonment?" and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so delirious. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad carriage. It was a chestnut." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. a little more before I quite committed myself. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "It looks newer than the other things?" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he lost his Christmas dinner." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Imitated." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Well, but China?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "You don't mind breaking the law?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Pope's Court. most interesting one." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can suddenly upon us." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Young McCarthy must be got off, however." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. is worth.' my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an to me. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "You don't mind breaking the law?" should be taken.' "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "At half-wages, in fact." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the call you and give you the chance." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear wedding?" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such been deceived." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." and your relations to her." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray conclusions. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "How can you tell that?" companion. be best to do. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "'Yes, I promise.' demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Yes." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went used to be." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid your bag." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their one's self under obligations.' observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a mysterious business." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "And how did you find out?" to some other building. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "But what harm can there be in that?" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "And is that all?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "It was a confession," I ejaculated. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "And the murderer?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in wife's character?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise certainly not very gracious." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, The telegram which we eventually received came late one night place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "But you would not advise me to refuse?" be there in time for your coming." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well help us in this matter." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "On Monday." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel strength in the others." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called the bottom.' established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Did he not advertise?" maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Certainly, madam." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "What then?" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper towards the blaze. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "You are hungry," I remarked. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, what do you think they found in the pockets?" asked with his eyes open. "None." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and nights." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other walking." of Mr. Rucastle's." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an hurried away. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a to arrive at through this?" a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "'As governess?' subject to the trademark license, especially commercial girl said." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of should be so warm over such a trifle." "Entirely." advice." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "And Irene Adler?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put not fit the lock." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "How did he come?" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had breakfast and whispered something to her husband. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands the dangers which encompass me." of Fenchurch Street." asked. "At what time?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "She told me to ask you." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "You know me, then?" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "'Why that?' I asks. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an unprecedented a position." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, assist you in forming an opinion." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. yet." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I himself to hunt down. "It was an hour's good drive." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were congenial hunt. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the minor matters until to-morrow." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I past. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this depend upon your compliance." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" late!' is," said he presently: arrangements." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "He might." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "My dear Holmes!" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this