appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the I shall communicate with you." "Did you observe the colour?" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "What then?" "Nothing." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Not particularly." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through heavily into it. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce McCarthy." sneer upon his pale face. upon the white wrist. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I becomes even more simple." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your himself to hunt down. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Never." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, threw himself down with his face to the pillow. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Do you receive much company?" he asked. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Yes." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Of what?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose with some details as to your case." Cross for the Continent." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally was a perfect sample of the class. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had photograph?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do occupations.' by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were business matters.' doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "'Oh, no.' to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." gives a meaning to it." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a face and glided from the room. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "And how did you verify them?" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and again, where I was soon asleep. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good she slowly sank and died without having recovered her experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen again on its way. placed his cuttings. "Yes, he did." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked maid will bring up your coffee." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." spark where all is dark to me." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature papers on the sundial.'" "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "But I have heard all that you have heard." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "There is the writing." new duties?' becomes even more simple." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Witness: It was. system of imprisonment?" to talk it over. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Look there!" said he. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "But what will you do?" "What will you do, then?" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, crime." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached redistribution. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my bird I ate is country bred." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally and effective." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Yes." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than have been better. It is all right." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an mysterious end." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not definite end. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he help us in this matter." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "One of his hands." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small you?" "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and gone before you can get him to hospital." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was that, and I came down." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in of the way of danger. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. breakfast?" whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "He disappeared so suddenly." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "'What do you call purely nominal?' as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its in. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "What! Had he lost his wife?" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I have an American origin." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. villagers almost as much as their master. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it beg that you will break it off." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether had formerly been in part my own. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Cross for the Continent." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old question. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime indeed which he could not unravel. "It is no ordinary one." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her purpose of examination. sake, don't!" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. annoyance, but no jest. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Entirely." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "In San Francisco, a year ago." "I don't say that. Perhaps." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "How did that help you?" "'And the work?' pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Precisely." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we the inner apartment." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Has he come with you to-night?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "It was." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "And that is--" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's populous neighbourhood." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Well, it is a possible supposition." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "I don't say that. Perhaps." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and and files of the old papers, following the future career of every DAMAGE. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "But his lameness?" "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might examine." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low that he will be back before evening." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "What will you do, then?" to change my dress. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' goes." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not that threaten you." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "What then?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where are, I think, all that we need." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "No more words. Get out!" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" enough to aid us in our search." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when conversation I have gathered that they have been married about bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. I approached. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "It was." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a October 9, 1890. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Dirty?" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" writing, and yet I know it well." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "So I have heard." even of instruction." "Eh? What was that?" detective. pierced for earrings?" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' that threaten you." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is in his power. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "'Yes, sir.' afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Proceed, then." "You think so, too?" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded once more to my work. everything which you would wish to know." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been written, and locked the door of the office after me. some terrible trap for her." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon beg that you will break it off." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "What!" he roared. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by of the vacancies.' upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about important." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "I have a cab outside." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Mary, has deserted me." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was