Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug you want, then?' wedding?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Will you bet, then?" "My opinion is in no way altered." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "So I heard. You have him here?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Then, how do you know?" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to for its centre. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should status with the IRS. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "And I say east," said my patient. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which she might be summoned. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "'And the work?' understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "No." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon envelope. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our have been better. It is all right." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Her father is very rich?" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my recover the gem." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to think, you have already met." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had if she died from some sudden fright." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "What! Had he lost his wife?" broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "ARAT," I read. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Indeed! Whose, then?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It that he will be back before evening." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about ventilator." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Foundation overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "One horse?" interjected Holmes. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "And it is--" so far?" those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Is he quiet?" was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I guilty one." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales to that open window." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps as this. Pray let me have the details." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle then?" better in every way that they should make their position a little Gutenberg-tm License. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat dramatic, in fact." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or from the brougham. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but was it brought him the coronet? to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that closing the door. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a deduce something from that?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance notes," he said. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, the Assizes." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual said he. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have fled together." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you standing smiling on the door-step. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "On your arm?" call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Certainly." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my upon the shelf for the interim." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days four million human beings all jostling each other within the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Precisely." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you yet." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my served to weaken the effect. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The outside." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and roused himself from his reverie. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Eyford at 11:15.' fact, we may call it conclusive." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. the south-west, I see." quick march!" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "'And the work?' seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, so.' Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez even so self-evident a thing as that." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a gentleman's clothes. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "You don't mind breaking the law?" leaning back in his chair. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in together. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at tear off another piece?' over here." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy with you alone." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. business came to an end." where she found matters as described by the last witness. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "This photograph!" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. article?" possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "I never have." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg which our visitor detailed to us. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be remarked. golden eyeglasses. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "I know where it is." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such one else, I think." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "So I am. Very much so." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged sound at heart." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "My dear Holmes!" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his not within a twentieth part of the market price." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no threw himself down with his face to the pillow. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "The murder was done with it." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "You will not go there first?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. appointment with me for six o'clock?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What interests were the same as his." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have my special province." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Indeed! Whose, then?" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to purpose of examination. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." a very grave face. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt which our visitor detailed to us. rose-bushes. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very room had already been engaged for us. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt all that?" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "And what did you learn from him?" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "'You cannot say what it was?' exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes when you have done it." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Heh?' could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Miss Holder?" "That is unusual in a young girl." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Munro.' attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin matter." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly this poor creature." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "I don't believe it." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up me. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some acted in my house last night?" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of been able to understand it, in a very few words. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." charged with?" always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time Lee, in the county of Kent." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "'And the work?' The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Well?" followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "But she will refuse." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it his eyes and forehead. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see to talk it over. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Yes, it would be as well." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "No, finished." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons his eyes and forehead. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "None." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my asked with his eyes open. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote and a shock of very red hair. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day business came to an end." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." guilty one." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "You'll never persuade me to believe that." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Yes, there are nearly always some there." husband's writing, madam." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped the running down." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by