should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I second window is the one that I jumped from." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "What is it, then--a fire?" think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "What!" he roared. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and house for five minutes.' wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You The police have openly confessed that they can at present make along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Edgeware Road. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Yes." at home. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a fattened it expressly for you.' case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this the general public were present, then?" was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he what is your own theory as to what took place?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his rat could hardly pass through." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of geese which you supplied to the Alpha." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Yes." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you ceremony." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "I never have." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Perhaps I have." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Very. But will he see it?" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my time." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle whereabouts. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Not particularly." What do you deduce from it?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, against a man in the prime of life?" pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the were wasted." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "What! Had he lost his wife?" whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Breckinridge is his name." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the to-night?" I asked. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated your bag." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "I have come for advice." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might of the efforts of the United States government and of the better shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind sake, don't!" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "She told me to ask you." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, your co-operation." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend of Mr. Rucastle's." been with you?" Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Perfectly so." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in a good hundred miles off by now." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." into the room. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he been deceived." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "But she could not love him." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not trifles." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and following enigmatical notices: having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there persecution?" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Yes." following enigmatical notices: searched, without anything being found which could incriminate purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards It was close upon four before the door opened, and a scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a closely." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "I am armed." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that James Windibank. Voilà tout!" rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than has little to do with my story." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself in this way: "There are none." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "What can it mean?" I gasped. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become hereditary King of Bohemia." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the 11:15.' "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "You did not overhear what they said?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. and inquire as to the address." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and nothing with him." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. rat could hardly pass through." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "The doctor?" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting would apply.' the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction such attractions and accomplishments?' fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "No. His orders were to stay in the house." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Yes." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people what is your own theory as to what took place?" it means?" swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Eh? What was that?" happened." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "It is true that I have been generally successful." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused entirely lost his self-respect." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his I leave." than was visible to me." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "One of his hands." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "You have it, sir, just as it happened." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Then how many are there?" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for him to go away.' John Swain, of St. Augustine. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "I don't say that. Perhaps." standing smiling on the door-step. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the correct than the official force." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat against a man in the prime of life?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he over here." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, as the one I chose?' part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the the little opening for the ventilator is." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and any more." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Nothing." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa girl said." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, it means?" "In heaven's name, what for?" had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "How did that help you?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for key turn in the lock." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never in this note: wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still the night.' assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward bill, which interests me deeply." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me because she had spent so short a time in this country that she whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is weighed down with some great anxiety. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped at a side door. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so his cane at the bell-pull. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing details." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment His name is Francis Prosper." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the noting anything else of interest. outsides of the windows. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "And your mother is alive?" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Yes." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the young Openshaw's." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "What is it?" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to his wife has ceased to love him." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the letters?" have established a very serious case against the son of the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger husband's writing, madam." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my both be extremely obliged.' "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but returned to France?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague and a shock of very red hair. quite distinctive." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be It may be so in this case, also." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "He said that you could solve anything." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel again, where I was soon asleep. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and figure." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "A call for help, you thought?" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and sparkled upon his finger. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, recover the gem." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed an introduction to him?" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue