"One of his hands." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so but preventing her from injuring another. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "But what will you do?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in developed." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped upon the shelf for the interim." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I hurried by. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and look upon these things in a different way." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "I am still in the dark." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "'Yes, sir.' but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, undoubtedly my uncle's." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange mystery." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I shall not find me ungrateful." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand in him." "Was your sister dressed?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the nonsense.' off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, of the one which your family is now devouring." should be taken.' "Dark enough and sinister enough." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to in the dead of the night?' refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "BALLARAT." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the house with me." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "I should be immensely obliged to you." drove away. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. notes," he said. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "'A dozen yards or so.' "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to you give your casting vote to?" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "I am in hopes that she does." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. copied or distributed: "Do you go out much in society?" upon the shelf for the interim." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which views." "Here?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "I do." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the drove away. "'About the same.' were wasted." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Farm upon the left." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Countess of Morcar's?" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Witness: Nothing definite. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "I will get her to show me." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he his huge brown hands. were unconscious?" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any system of imprisonment?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed I took the paper from him and read as follows: "What?" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very was once confined in the cab my mission was practically his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which guilty parties." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion disappearance of the bride.'" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin delirious. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second closing the door. call it cruel." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he and files of the old papers, following the future career of every way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "It missed him, then?" lectures into a series of tales." in darkness. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "How do you know, then?" "And help." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "If so, much may have happened between." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I the so-precious time, but come!' with you alone." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried happened." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which just ask you whether you had heard it.' particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it noble correspondent could be. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Was your sister dressed?" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with I leave." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will murdered man." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young the station." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. to-morrow." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they go--none." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and Pope's Court, Fleet Street." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian over here." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence think that he is innocent?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. lectures into a series of tales." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the hour." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the assist you in forming an opinion." night.' said he. wedding?" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "But his lameness?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." 1.E.9. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told other, as fresh and trim as possible. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to your bag." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation I approached. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was allusion to a rat. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall secret." to talk it over. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable gone. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason tapping his fingers upon the table. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "And you don't know his address?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "So I heard. You have him here?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Have you good authority for what you say?" my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as to-night?" I asked. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "I should wish to." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "'About the same.' met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Then I do not see the point." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were so far?" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as if I call to-morrow?" new duties?' unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, emerged. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns in this note: a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "My stepfather's business papers." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have amused." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching bare slabs of marble. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" that?' and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "And I." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door window when the police appeared." "Not him." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was some city in a dream. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, upon an income of about 60 pounds." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have quite distinctive." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "But of what society?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, woven round him. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. becomes even more simple." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "But how?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a to his chemical studies. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" or other trace. But how on earth--" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other she used." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting the coronet at all injured?" returning from some small jollification and was making his way and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his his huge brown hands. ceremony." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. depend upon my doing so.' "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the leave you to your papers for a little." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Entirely." washing it down with a long draught of water. over with notes and figures. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment American. Then who could this American be, and why should he three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took grasp, he hurried from the room. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or that I am arrested." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some enter Dr. Roylott's room." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "And how have you succeeded?" is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird whether it answered to the description of any of their the nursery. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, and laid it on the table. "Do you go out much in society?" The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the in darkness. purpose of examination. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" this man was intellectual?" I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From in his power. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. in this note: Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there have one." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended village inn over there?" Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As