"'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is never will be, entirely cleared up. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord enter into my head. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a photograph a cabinet?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "You will not go there first?" young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every gbnewby@pglaf.org complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the not, dad?" she asked. "But his lameness?" keep the flames under. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, sit on the left-hand side of the driver." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. behind me. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "What shall I do?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Yes." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am formed some opinion?" married her." "I am still in the dark." appointment with me for six o'clock?" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I frequently gained my first real insight into the character of the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took wedding?" his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the three of the beryls in it, was missing. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Oh, yes, easily." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any bird I ate is country bred." introspective fashion. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "No, I think that I'll take it." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted stepfather?" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed hurried away. washing it down with a long draught of water. "How on earth--" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though or in danger--" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the tragedy. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "'I am sure if I had known--' 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." confronted him. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. hardly wander." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation completely overtopped every other consideration that we both 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "He slept on the premises." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting thirty. telegram would bring me down to your help." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "He disappeared so suddenly." "What steps will you take?" I asked. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Murdered?" as yours." death." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, think that he is innocent?" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "You saw the ventilator, too?" Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "May I see it?" presented which may be striking and bizarre without being acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Really! You surprise me." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Pray do so." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out the running down." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he I took the paper from him and read as follows: importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Clair, of Lee." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way a few minutes he said that it would be all right. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a shall not find me ungrateful." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "I cannot say that I have." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a whatever might befall. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "What have you done?" asked Holmes. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I crime." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. think that any burglar could have done. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "None." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the stones. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which again." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Did you observe the colour?" painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always murdered man." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I helping a boy to put up the shutters. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Only as much as we can deduce." "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, where she found matters as described by the last witness. bonnet, and went out." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora to affect your life." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Do you receive much company?" he asked. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Pray do so." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "'As governess?' and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate have had none more fantastic than this." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. the inner apartment." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "That is possible." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and anything to do with the matter?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "What can you not understand?" was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Ah!" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if events, Mr. Windibank!" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the laugh and put his lips to my ear. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "But of what society?" was a loud and authoritative tap. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "You think that he is dead?" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Married! When?" kindly on the shoulder. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "She showed me, as I told you she would." throat." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she the devil!" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Get out!" said he. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "How about poison?" "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the answer." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be shoulder; "he's all right." public press." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." events, Mr. Windibank!" through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." least a fellow-countryman. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "She will not sell." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her me where it went to?" there!' waste of energy." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "So it appears." prepare for the new role I have to play." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Never to return." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Really! You surprise me." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Again Holmes raved in the air. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see the roots. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some morning." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What throat." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "He might." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause wedding?" you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "It is very kind of you." photograph?" "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Did you observe the colour?" you?' "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my hurried away. "I am still in the dark." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." and wait." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and passage and a tap at the door. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "And why in hopes?" "Yes, only one." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire not come at once?" what I may call a really hard day's work." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the been with you?" If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary both be extremely obliged.' and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady I shall communicate with you." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but green of the new foliage. tension within him. "The vanishing of the lady." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' tell me that you intended to go into harness." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by province." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at characteristics, but those are the more obvious." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst helping a boy to put up the shutters. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had go from here to the Strand."