"'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in it with his own hands." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' you give your casting vote to?" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the thin legs towards the fire. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my results." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the call you and give you the chance." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To know that the truth is known." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of will be renamed. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Yes. He waved his hands." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San salesman. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would floor. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the that, and I came down." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "'I have heard so.' "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had Cross for the Continent." over part of the map. "What do you read?" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "You heard nothing yourself last night?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "I answered that I had not. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the one as in the other." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the stones. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, lamp. never to learn it at all." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, some terrible trap for her." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who disappearance of these gems?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all chambers. outside." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me arrangements." the night.' "And how did you verify them?" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a conversation I have gathered that they have been married about in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "It is a murder, then?" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. of the way of danger. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Nothing?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "I guessed as much." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This writing, and yet I know it well." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Then I can wait in the next room." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through the coronet at all injured?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. dead, shall be safe with us." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "She showed me, as I told you she would." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the the King without delay." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Then I do not see the point." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. go--none." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. learned something! Where are the gems?" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His that there was nothing in it, after all." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. tail." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Then you may be so with me." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this be. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case but preventing her from injuring another. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "The best possible." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous The King stared at him in amazement. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the little trying to do so much typewriting?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." lamp in his hand. interest. They are important, you understand, without being 1.E.9. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, where she found matters as described by the last witness. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all in him." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in back to my heart. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it enter Dr. Roylott's room." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for is a common subject for conversation. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If I took the paper from him and read as follows: "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same is worth.' "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of of the way of danger. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, enter Dr. Roylott's room." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, call you and give you the chance." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while amused." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss I nodded to show that I had heard. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked business?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "There is the writing." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe searched, without anything being found which could incriminate opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is never will be, entirely cleared up. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man wall." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured locked." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "One of the highest in England." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "She showed me, as I told you she would." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "No." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the side. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. or in danger--" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily taking in every detail of the apartment. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the exactly what you advise." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her occupations.' and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "You have carte blanche." "Why did you beat the pavement?" "When did she vanish, then?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the do." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told experiences." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the highroad, where all traces were lost. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin next day. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small chill to my heart. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your keep the flames under. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, the side-table." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "By no means." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely closely." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a something of him before." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the for its centre. "The knees of his trousers." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had have established a very serious case against the son of the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can money should be paid at once.' should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of States. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway and the church but not where the lady lived." "'What then?' I asked. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "And the murderer?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six during that time.' incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as upon an income of about 60 pounds." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey indeed which he could not unravel. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." to take care of herself." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Do you know him?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face miles off. back alive. this man was intellectual?" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have business in the City. She little knew what. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and without a word or a look. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at lost nothing by them." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets been." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Have you good authority for what you say?" untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Stoke Moran?" said he. it." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy at once, for I have only half an hour." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a place no limit on the sum I may draw." him to go away.' You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a union?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "And what then?" "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Which are?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup not interfere, come what may. You understand?" from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done she might be summoned. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "The decline of his fortunes, then?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case him to be an active member of the medical profession." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "What!" he roared. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Sutherland. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "'Certainly not.' It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful chambers. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take brought there to personate someone, and the real person is and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "'What is it, uncle?' I cried.