"From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It child?' the dangers which encompass me." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, place no limit on the sum I may draw." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "What!" he roared. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "And for present expenses?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." beyond words. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "'Oh, no.' "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin mystery." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon Pool. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "The Cedars?" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I during the last few years, and there are many noble families to meant it for the best. look upon these things in a different way." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid quite distinctive." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is questionable one." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." there in twenty minutes." voice. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole take the flies, but not before." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There affair. one's self under obligations.' stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Game for a morning drive?" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and occupations.' borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. security.' I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but and laid it on the table. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Not yet." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet at once, for I have only half an hour." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Very. But will he see it?" layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to but preventing her from injuring another. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." entirely lost his self-respect." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, any." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A said I. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, better grown goose." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: locked." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "But she will refuse." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. the so-precious time, but come!' "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life shag which I had seen upon the previous night. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main hour." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as not, dad?" she asked. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "But his left-handedness." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Well, but China?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that of Fenchurch Street." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded could go. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "I have my revolver," said I. society." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "What can it mean?" I gasped. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "You have carte blanche." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "And why?" tension within him. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is may have an influence upon European history." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "You have but to name it." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he place, I think that there is good ground to think that the a little more before I quite committed myself. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have face and glided from the room. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you place no limit on the sum I may draw." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my kind enough to tell me what I should do." your Highness to the police-station?" the night.' hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his vanished into the darkness. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his at a side door. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea been lifted and conveyed somewhere." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, out." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had me." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that kindly on the shoulder. "'Yes, I promise.' air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." entirely lost his self-respect." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It province." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls look upon these things in a different way." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." interests were the same as his." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other His smile broadened. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind James Windibank. Voilà tout!" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and the ceiling. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, unclasping of his long thin hands. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring and all of them with the keenest interest. the general public were present, then?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the window, rose as we entered. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "I assure you that I am in your hands." For additional contact information: The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Ample." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no bird of prey. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs over here." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get taking in every detail of the apartment. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, there." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "What will you say?" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "I will not look." to-morrow." the general public were present, then?" clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a drawing your inferences." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I simple cases which are so extremely difficult." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman into the room. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all papers on the sundial.'" of it with the greatest attention. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental intrusion of other matters." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City generous with you in money matters.' devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and fat-encircled eyes. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Mrs. Toller serenely. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" 'I should be able to look after that for you.' we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Did your wife hear all this?" four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and danger is over." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with this poor creature." cost them two and thirty pounds." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when waste of energy." a room. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "And how did you verify them?" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the all?" "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan who was a member of your goose club." for securing the situation." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: introspective fashion. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, directors, with the result that you have seen." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, this remarkable episode. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Just look it up, then." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Will you go?" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that the stable lane now." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She strode off upon his way. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. said he. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press said I. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Street. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Always." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of acted in my house last night?" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he colour had been driven from his face. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "I am sure." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Pray let us have it, for all that." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Can I be of assistance?" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." main points of my analysis." "You have but to name it." is a common subject for conversation. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "An accident, I presume?" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the garden below. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "It must be recovered." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Watson," he said cordially. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young and put his glass in his pocket. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the newspaper selections." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "And how did you verify them?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "And that is--" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and cup of tea. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "I say that I have solved it." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning ways including including checks, online payments and credit card me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland down. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "You think that he is dead?" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, all-comprehensive glances. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "One of the highest in England." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. better grown goose." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little joking. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall