"Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would have not had my rubber." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is papers." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the meanly of me." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His companion. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet records." indeed which he could not unravel. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been said I. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Yes." own family. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." before the coroner and the police-court." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "No." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. whole matter to your consideration." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three narrative." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards public press." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "What do you make of that, Watson?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Nor running a chance of arrest?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do noise which awoke you from your sleep?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Married! When?" matter over." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he bled considerably." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "How did he come?" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to assist you in forming an opinion." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Is he quiet?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. room?" Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Stoke Moran?" said he. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in weary and pale-looking. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine brain must have something in it." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "I have my revolver," said I. been with you?" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "The murder was done with it." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "I was sure that I might rely on you." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw into the bag, and made for the door. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying them?" tension within him. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on without a word or a look. "Then the page we have seen--" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed my room." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the unprofitable." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are quite distinctive." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. friends, not even his own brother. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "I think it very unlikely." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is legal crime." "Why did you beat the pavement?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his that you wished to speak to me?' "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the that he will be back before evening." keep the flames under. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick help us in this matter." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and to go into your room and bar your shutters?" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. been able to understand it, in a very few words. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the DISSOLVED. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing murdered man." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "9th. McCauley cleared. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the upon an income of about 60 pounds." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight quickly through a disagreeable task. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, one's self under obligations.' entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly bill, which interests me deeply." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long himself. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall fait accompli?" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and I took the paper from him and read as follows: bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a you." vault. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a to me. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "But he might be a bachelor." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the I. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of could gather together that I was able to avert another public ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Lestrade of Scotland Yard." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "'What do you call purely nominal?' congratulate you again." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Yes, there are nearly always some there." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "You have the photograph?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Well?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no you." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, any more." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Holmes. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. hair?' which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business there is a decided draught." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger Project Gutenberg-tm works. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous impression behind it as though a window had gently closed remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set have an American origin." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the disappearance of these gems?" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "You are all wrong." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and furiously. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner infinite languor in his face. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small there is a decided draught." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post out." must be when I saw the door open.' "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until present." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "'About the same.' room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the you in your example." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Dr. Becher's." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "The landlord of the Alpha." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing you." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, Mary, has deserted me." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, to a light-house. "Yes, that is the Crown." your sleep?' see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. in this note: "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We fait accompli?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she appointment with me for six o'clock?" "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark as this. Pray let me have the details." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a other means.' son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I returning from some small jollification and was making his way with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Why, what do you mean?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Was the window open?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Entirely." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step awaited us upon the table. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present became a certainty. "We have tried and failed." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "A greater distance to travel." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could observed. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not possible that we could bring him back to her? "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "In what way?" asked Holmes. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were main points of my analysis." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "I will do it." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as her also." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two to change my dress. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for acted in my house last night?" peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "And now?" I asked. delirious. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "No." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "There are none." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that the tragedy. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found will not take me long to tell. is now desirous of getting those letters back." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Of what?" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close upon the shelf for the interim." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, there is a decided draught." bachelor.' Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight tightly behind him. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "It is to him that this trophy belongs." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress where Mr. Fordham shows you.'